Apparent density on mammogram

Case contributed by Garth Kruger
Diagnosis not applicable

Presentation

Routine screening images of the right breast.

Patient Data

Age: 40 years
Gender: Female

Right breast

mammography

The reader suspects a mass-like lesion in the breast as indicated on the annotated image.

Right breast

mammography

Another MLO view done 15 minutes later.

Case Discussion

There was a radiologist in the department at the time of the screening study busy diligently submitting cases for Radiopaedia.

Another MLO view was done about 15 min after the initial image. Same technologist, same breast, same positioning (almost).

This is an example of how little change is position is actually required to separate "summation shadows" from one another. The same is true for rolled CC views; very often just a different image with slightly different compression and a couple of degrees of rotation will suffice and give you the answer. You don't need huge rotations of the breast in real life.

Also, note the quick and easy diagnosis answer without resorting to time consuming mag views. Done and done. Try this in practice; it works.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.