The evolution of breast ultrasound in surgical practice: Current applications, missed opportunities, and future directions

Abstract

Ultrasound provides essential diagnostic and therapeutic applications in almost every medical and surgical field. In breast surgery, the importance of ultrasound cannot be overstated as it plays a critical role in both radiographic and tissue diagnosis, and can be used to guide surgical resection. Newer, cheaper, and more portable ultrasounds facilitate its use in the clinic and the operating room, making it a cost-effective, patient-centered tool in the management of benign and malignant breast conditions. This paper provides an overview of the evolution of breast ultrasound in surgical practice, its potential underuse in surgery, and explores emerging applications in breast surgery. Lastly, we identify opportunities for improvement in education, training, and access to ultrasound to overcome some of the barriers to ultrasound use by surgeons.