Items tagged “breast”
41 results found
Article
Fibrocystic change (breast)
Fibrocystic change of the breast (also known as diffuse cystic mastopathy) is a benign alteration in the terminal ductal lobular unit of the breast with or without associated fibrosis. It is seen as a wide spectrum of altered morphology in the female breast from innocuous to those associated wit...
Article
Ultrasound evaluation of breast cysts
Ultrasound evaluation of breast cysts is the modality of choice. Obstruction of the ducts, often appearing as the result of epithelial hyperplastic processes or stromal fibrosis, or both processes lead to the formation of cysts, disabling the drainage of the terminal ducts of the lobules.
In al...
Article
Breast hamartoma
Breast hamartomas, also known as fibroadenolipomas, are benign breast lesions. They are typified by a "breast within a breast" appearance on mammogram.
Epidemiology
They typically occur in women older than 35 years of age.
Clinical presentation
Breast hamartomas most commonly are asymptomat...
Article
Intramammary lymph nodes
The intramammary lymph nodes (IMLN) (a.k.a. intramammary nodes) are lymph nodes within the breast tissue. In breast imaging, they generally fall into BIRADS II lesions 7. They can be solitary or multiple. This article discusses normal (physiological) intramammary lymph nodes.
Epidemiology
Intr...
Article
Diabetic mastopathy
Diabetic mastopathy is a condition characterized by the presence of a benign tumor like breast masses in women with long-standing type 1 or type 2 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The condition has also been reported in men.
Clinical presentation
Diabetic mastopathy manifests clinically a...
Article
Breast imaging-reporting and data system (BI-RADS) assessment category 2
BI-RADS 2 is a benign category in breast imaging reporting and data system. A finding placed in this category should have a 100% chance of being benign.
Examples of such lesions or findings include:
calcified fibroadenomas
multiple secretory calcifications
fat-containing lesions such as:
o...
Article
Chassaignac bursa
Chassaignac bursa (also known as the retromammary bursa, submammary serous bursa or occasionally Chassaignac bag) is the space behind the breast, lying between the pectoralis fascia posteriorly and deep layer of superficial fascia anteriorly.
It contains loose connective tissue and aids in mobi...
Article
Breast within a breast sign
The breast within a breast sign refers to the common mammographic appearance of breast hamartomas (fibroadenolipomas). Since these benign lesions are well-circumscribed and contain a mixture of fibrous, glandular and fatty tissue (just like normal breast), it is not surprising that they appear v...
Article
Amastia
Amastia is a rare congenital condition characterized by the absence of breast tissue, nipple and areola. This may occur unilaterally or bilaterally.
Pathology
During embryological development, breasts first appear as ectoderm ridges during the 6th week of gestation. This ridge grows thicker an...
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...
Article
Amazia
Amazia is a rare congenital condition defined by the absence of breast tissue (glandular parenchyma in either one or both of the breasts) and a normal nipple and areola complex. However, the most common etiology of amazia is iatrogenic; biopsy of the developing breast and the use of radiation th...
Article
Breast
The breast is an apocrine gland found in both males and females. However, in females, it has a specific function - the production of milk for neonatal nutrition and immune function.
Gross anatomy
The breast has an inhomogeneous structure that is predominantly composed of adipose tissue and gla...
Article
Montgomery glands
Montgomery glands are large sebaceous glands in the breast, representing a transition between a mammary gland and a sweat gland.
Gross anatomy
Located within the nipple-areolar complex, Montgomery glands open onto the skin surface via protrusions on the skin known as Montgomery tubercles. They...
Article
Aberrations in the normal development and involution of the breast
Aberrations in the Normal Development and Involution (ANDI) of the breast is an overarching term used to describe a wide spectrum of benign breast disease. As the name suggests, it is based on the theory that most of the encountered benign breast disorders are aberrations in the normal developme...
Article
Popcorn calcification within the breast
Popcorn calcification in the breast is the classical description for the calcification seen in involuting fibroadenomas which, as the name suggests, has a popcorn-like appearance.
Pathology
A fibroadenoma in the long run may degenerate and calcify. Initially, there are a few punctate peripher...
Article
Large rod like breast calcification
Large rod like calcifications are benign calcifications seen within ectatic ducts.
Pathology
Associations
plasma cell mastitis
Radiographic features
>1 mm in diameter
may have lucent centers (if calcium is only in walls of ducts)
branching pattern may be seen
radiation towards the nipple...
Article
Breast calcifications (an approach)
An approach to breast calcifications in terms of imaging evaluation and biopsy aims to distinguish benign from malignant etiologies. This article overviews a general approach to the evaluation of breast calcifications. The types and descriptors of calcifications are detailed separately: breast c...
Article
Eggshell calcification (breast)
Eggshell calcifications in the breast are benign peripheral rim-like calcifications.
Pathology
They are typically secondary to fat necrosis or calcification of oil cysts.
Radiographic features
thin rim-like calcification (<1 mm in thickness)
lucent centers
small to several centimeters in d...
Article
Pseudocalcifications in the breast
Pseudocalcifications and artifacts in the breast include
gold deposits in lymph nodes from intramuscular gold therapy for rheumatoid arthritis
adhesive tape
deodorant
film-screen artifacts
They should be differentiated from parenchymal calcification. Precautions to be taken are t...
Article
Gestational and secretory hyperplasia
Gestational and secretory hyperplasia are pregnancy and lactation related physiological changes occurring in breast tissues.
Pathology
The normal physiology of pregnancy causes a lobular enlargement of terminal duct lobular units along with formation of new ones during the second month of gest...