The importance of resolution in the clinical application of breast sonography

Although in use for over thirty years, breast ultrasound continues a steady evolution both in technological development and in clinical application. It is now firmly established as a first line diagnostic modality to be used in conjunction with x-ray mammography. Its ability to provide qualitatively different parenchymal information in a slice-type, or tomographic format with excellent resolution makes it a clinically important instrument. The ultimate goal, however, still lies ahead. This is the detection and characterization of small masses within the breast, coupled with the ability to determine whether these foci are benign or malignant. This will likely involve not only scanners with better resolution, but also those, such as doppler, with the ability to obtain functional information as well.