Automatic Breast Ultrasound (ABUS)

Automatic breast ultrasound is specifically designed to obtain images of dense breasts. This technology enables the early and more accurate diagnosis of cancerous tumors.

Ecografía automática de mama

Automatic breast ultrasound, or ABUS (Automatic Breast Ultrasound), uses ultrasound waves to generate 3D images without requiring healthcare personnel to capture them manually. This technology is particularly indicated for dense breasts, where the volume of breast tissue is significantly higher than that of fat. In such cases, tumors may go undetected in conventional ultrasounds.

The ABUS system offers greater diagnostic accuracy, as its 15-centimeter transducer (compared to traditional 3-centimeter ones) adapts to the shape of the breast and provides a complete image of the entire breast volume.

By generating three-dimensional images, automatic breast ultrasound facilitates analysis from various angles. Additionally, specialists can study the images interactively afterward to achieve a more precise diagnosis.

How Does It Work?

The image acquisition process of ABUS technology is the same as in conventional ultrasounds: the transducer emits high-frequency sound waves that bounce off the body's internal structures, producing echoes. The transducer captures these echoes, and a computer program translates them into grayscale images.

During an automatic breast ultrasound, the patient lies on her back, and her breast is placed inside an ergonomic scanning head that conforms to its shape. The transducer then automatically scans the entire breast surface.

What Are the Benefits of Automatic Breast Ultrasound?

The most notable benefits of ABUS technology are:

Comprehensive imaging of the entire breast volume.
Three-dimensional images providing a complete view of the breast.
Automatic lesion localization with precise information about its location.
More accurate diagnosis for dense breasts.
Easier surgical planning, as it replicates the patient's positioning in the operating room.
Fully automated image acquisition, eliminating manual intervention.
Radiation-free diagnostic test.
Allows double reading of the images.
Image processing capability.

When Is It Indicated?

Automatic breast ultrasound is particularly useful for women under 40, for whom mammograms are not generally recommended, and for those with dense breasts, meaning they have a higher proportion of fibrous tissue compared to fatty glands.

What to Expect from an Automatic Breast Ultrasound

ABUS is a painless procedure performed on an outpatient basis. It is normal to feel pressure from the membrane placed on the transducer, but it only causes slight discomfort in very sensitive breasts.

For the procedure, the patient removes clothing from the waist up and lies on an examination table on her back. The healthcare professional applies a gel to the breast to prevent air pockets and ensure clearer images. The patient then raises her arm, and the breast is placed inside the ergonomic transducer, which conforms to its shape.

An automatic breast ultrasound procedure takes approximately 15 minutes.