Memorial Regional Breast Care Center

Cyst Aspiration

An ultrasound guided cyst aspiration may be recommended by the radiologist or your physician.  Aspirating a cyst may be done to relieve discomfort or to find out if the cyst is filled only with fluid.

The radiologist locates the cyst using ultrasound and the skin is cleansed. Sterile towels are placed around the breast. A local anesthetic is injected into the breast where the aspiration is to be performed. The radiologist inserts a needle into the cyst using ultrasound for guidance. The fluid in the cyst is aspirated into a syringe. The goal is to obtain all the fluid so that the image of the cyst disappears on the screen.

The fluid is observed by the radiologist, who determines if the fluid needs to be sent to lab for analysis. If the fluid is sent, it may take up to a week to get results. Since the shell of the cyst remains, the cyst may fill back up with fluid.

Slight bruising and bleeding at the injection site may occur. A band-aid and antibiotic ointment is applied. There are no restrictions after the procedure. You may use Tylenol for pain relief.