Articles

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More than 200 results
Article

Lateromedial oblique view

A lateral-medial oblique (LMO) view is a type of supplementary mammographic view.  The advantage of performing the lateromedial view is to depict lesions located far medio-posteriorly visible on the CC view only, or to depict palpable lesions in the inner quadrant not seen on mammography. This...
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Double spot compression view

A double spot compression view is obtained by focal compression of both sides of the breast to produce higher spatial and contrast resolution. This is made possible due to the increased amount of breast thinning and a significant decreased incidence of blurring because of decreased exposure time...
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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 synthesizing an array of growth regulatory molecules.
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Neurofibromatosis type 1 (breast manifestations)

Breast manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), or von Recklinghausen disease, it is characterized 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...
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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.
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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 ...
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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...
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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...
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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 hematoma complex breast abscess breast cyst with associated inflammation and hemorrhage galactocoele fibrocystic changes and oil cysts 2...
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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...
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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 ...
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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

Pseudogynecomastia

Pseudogynecomastia refers to breast enlargement in men primarily due to fatty tissue but with no associated glandular or stromal tissue. Differential diagnosis gynecomastia
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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
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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 metastasize. Epidemiology The detection of...
Article

Breast hypoplasia

Breast hypoplasia is a condition which is characterized 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...

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