Understanding Sonogram Echoes: What They Mean for Breast Health

Question
I recently had a sonogram because of a questionalble mammogram. I am having 2 cysts aspirated, but the doctor said that the cysts had echoes and that may need to be investigated. What are echoes and what might this mean? Thanks!

Answer
A sonogram works like a radar. It sends out a signal and receives echoes in this case from the tissues of your breast and builds up a picture based on that. But it does use an ultrasound (very highly pitched sound waves - to high to hear) signal not a radio one as in radar. Tissues in your breast reflect those sound waves like mirrors (giving the echoes) and those reflections (echoes) form the picture. Echoes WITHIN your cysts may show that there is something there. And that - as your dr. said - should be investigated! At least in order to be sure that there is nothing dangerous there.