Breast ultrasound -- odd question about shaking the breast

southern_bookworm

Didn't really see another board where this fit. I'm not worried per se, but curious about anyone that might have experience with this?

Background: I have dense tissue. I'm lumpy and bumpy with tons of micro cysts and medium cysts. I've never had a screening mammogram where I didn't get a recall in the 9 years I've done this. I usually have 2-4 diagnostic ones a year. Never reason for biopsy. I do get ultrasounds periodically and this year asked that they start them routinely.

Had mammogram. Mentioned spot was bothering me a lot more than normal (they are usually a bit achy and sore and I just deal) Tech was sure to get good pics of that area. Then ultrasound. The usual: tons of little to medium cysts. All over. Radiologist comes in and wants to look at a couple of spots she had questions about. He said: I'm sure that is just calcium. He kept looking and then said: sorry about this, and started shaking/jiggling the transducer quite a bit. Repeated a couple of times and then said: huh, didn't move. Well, they might be polyps. We'll check you again in 6 months because of this and because you still have microcalcifications that don't quite cup like the others do. (I've always had microcalcifications, why I'm forever called back.)

I think I sad something like: wait, wha't a polyp? He said a benign growth, very small on you right now. I don't think that's what is causing discomfort. Told me we could looking at attempting to drain cysts to help with discomfort... but I had sooooo many - and none were really large. He wasn't sure how helpful it would be.

Okay...

Of course I go home and look up polyp because I haven't dealt with that yet. And from what I read that is papilloma. (I know benign from reading so not freaked promise.) And from what I can see, those are usually checked out if suspected pretty quickly just to be sure. Not a 'we'll see in 6 months' kinda deal. Well, that's what I gather.

Anyone have a clue why the shaking? Was that just to see if fluid filled cyst versus a solid something in cyst.

Since my doctor's office doesn't have a patient portal type thing.. I'm waiting a good 5 days before I see report since they have to physically mail to me.

Just curious is anyone had any thoughts. And the shaking did give me a laugh later -- so unexpected, you know?