Articles
Articles are a collaborative effort to provide a single canonical page on all topics relevant to the practice of radiology. As such, articles are written and continuously improved upon by countless contributing members. Our dedicated editors oversee each edit for accuracy and style. Find out more about articles.
359 results found
Article
Mammary fat
The mammary glands
develop in close association with a depot of adipose tissue that is commonly
referred to as the mammary fat pad.
The mammary fat pad is a matrix of adipose
and connective tissue capable of mediating hormone action and synthesising an
array of growth regulatory molecules.
Article
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (breast manifestations)
Breast manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), or von Recklinghausen disease, it is characterised by multiple subcutaneous neurofibromas affecting the breast.
For a general discussion of the underlying condition, please refer to the article on neurofibromatosis type 1.
Radiographic...
Article
Metastatic axillary lymphadenopathy of unknown primary
Metastatic axillary lymphadenopathy of unknown primary can be a very challenging situation.
Pathology
Usual potential sites include:
occult breast cancer: the incidence of an axillary lymph node manifestation from an occult primary breast cancer is low, ranging from 0.3-0.8% of all patients ...
Article
Mammotome
MammotomeTM is the brand name for the first vacuum-assisted breast biopsy system. See the article on stereotactic breast biopsy for general discussion of the procedure.
Article
Juvenile fibroadenoma (breast)
A juvenile fibroadenoma of the breast is a term given to a fibroadenoma presenting in children or adolescents. These may account for ~0.5-2% of all fibroadenomas, and are rapidly-growing masses that cause asymmetry of the breast, distortion of the overlying skin, and stretching of the nipple.
1...
Article
Transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap
Transplantation of a transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap is a commonly used surgical procedure for breast reconstruction following mastectomy.
An autologous myocutaneous flap consisting of abdominal skin, subcutaneous fat, the rectus abdominis muscle, and adjoining vasculature ...
Article
Cystic hyperplasia of the breast
Cystic hyperplasia of the breast is a benign breast condition which is considered part of fibrocystic changes.
Pathology
There is usually greater unfolding and enlargement of ductules with formation of microcysts.
Radiographic features
Mammography
If associated with secretion of calcium s...
Article
Liponecrosis in breast
Liponecrosis in breast refers to areas of mammary fat necrosis with associated dystrophic calcification. It is further divided into:
liponecrosis microcystica calcificans: <3 mm
liponecrosis macrocystica calcificans: >3 mm
Radiographic features
Mammography
Mammographic features are radioluc...
Article
Cystic breast mass
A cystic breast mass is a mass that contains both solid and fluid components. This can occur from both benign and malignant causes.
Benign
complex breast haematoma
complex breast abscess
breast cyst with associated inflammation and haemorrhage
galactocoele
fibrocystic changes and oil cysts...
Article
Sclerosing papilloma (breast)
Sclerosing papillomas of the breast are a subtype of intraductal papilloma of the breast. It is termed when a papillary lesion form well-defined solid masses with a dominant sclerosed architecture 2. It is usually a histological diagnosis and usually cannot be differentiated from a non-sclerosin...
Article
Milk fistula
A milk fistula is a situation where a fistulous connection develops between the skin and the lactiferous ducts. It is a rare but potential complication if a core biopsy or excision biopsy of the breast is performed in a lactating patient.
Article
Spence tail
Spence tail is the prolongation of upper outer quadrant of the breast in the axillary direction. It is also called the axillary tail, once it passes through the foramen of Langer, it pierces the axillary fascia. The duct system is seen to extend into the axilla.
If this direct continuity with t...
Article
Apocrine carcinoma of the breast
Apocrine carcinoma of the breast is a rare variant of breast cancer. The diagnosis is mainly pathological as it is difficult to differentiate from other forms of breast cancer on imaging.
Epidemiology
It accounts for about 4% of all cases. It is seen most often in females in the age group of 5...
Article
Amorphous calcifications (breast)
Amorphous calcifications, previously known as indistinct calcifications, are a morphological descriptor for breast calcifications that are small and/or hazy such that no clearly defined shape/form can be ascribed.
Pathology
Many benign and malignant conditions may be seen in association with ...
Article
Tucked CC views
In the standard CC views posterior tissue may be excluded from the field of view, due to the anatomical attachment to the chest wall restricting mobility of breast tissues. The tucks CC views are useful to depict lesions deep in the posterior portion of the breast, located between 10 and 2 o'clo...
Article
Pseudogynaecomastia
Pseudogynaecomastia refers to breast enlargement in men primarily due to fatty tissue but with no associated glandular or stromal tissue.
Differential diagnosis
gynaecomastia
Article
Dilated mammary veins (differential)
Dilated mammary veins can result from many pathologies. These include:
as a secondary but non specific sign of breast malignancy 1
ipsilateral subclavian venous obstruction
SVC obstruction 2
Mondor disease: can be dilated as well as being thrombosed
Article
Ductal carcinoma in situ
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) refers to a breast carcinoma limited to the ducts with no extension beyond the basement membrane, as a result of which the disease has not infiltrated the parenchyma of the breast and the lymphatics and cannot therefore metastasise.
Epidemiology
The detection of...
Article
Breast hypoplasia
Breast hypoplasia is a condition which is characterised by underdevelopment of the breast. Breast hypoplasia can be congenital or acquired.
Pathology
Congenital hypoplasia
Associations include:
ulnar-mammary syndrome
Poland syndrome
Turner syndrome
congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Acquired...
Article
Stewart-Treves syndrome
Stewart-Treves syndrome refers to an angiosarcoma seen in the setting of lymphoedema 1.
It was classically attributed to lymphoedemas induced by radical mastectomy to treat breast cancer. Nowadays, we know that it can arise in chronically lymphoedematous regions of any cause 2.
The incidence ...
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