RadioGraphics, Vol 14, 29-50, Copyright © 1994 by Radiological Society of North America

ARTICLES

Sonographic evaluation of the breast

LA Venta, CM Dudiak, CG Salomon and ME Flisak
Department of Radiology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153.

Knowledge of appropriate ultrasonographic (US) techniques and the US appearance of the normal breast and specific lesions is essential for successful application of breast US. The highest quality breast sonograms are achieved with 5-10-MHz linear transducers, imaging the lesion within the transducer focal zone, and relatively steep time-gain compensation curves. On sonograms, the fat in normal breast parenchyma is hypoechoic, fibrous tissue is echogenic, and glandular tissue is intermediate in echogenicity. Some normal structures can simulate masses, including the anterior costochondral junction when imaged in cross section and fat lobules outlined by Cooper ligaments when imaged in a perpendicular plane. Cysts have an anechoic interior, sharp margins, and posterior acoustic enhancement. Benign solid lesions are usually hypoechoic but variable in US appearance, which can overlap with that of complicated cysts. The classic US appearance of breast carcinoma is a hypoechoic mass with inhomogeneous internal echoes, irregular margins, and variable acoustic shadowing, although carcinoma can appear well circumscribed or have posterior acoustic shadowing in some cases. The most important function of breast US is differentiating a cyst from a solid lesion. US is also useful for evaluating a palpable mass in either young patients (< 30 years old) or those with dense breasts and negative mammographic results.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. Mesurolle, T. Helou, M. El-Khoury, M. Edwardes, E. J. Sutton, and E. Kao Tissue Harmonic Imaging, Frequency Compound Imaging, and Conventional Imaging: Use and Benefit in Breast Sonography J. Ultrasound Med., August 1, 2007; 26(8): 1041 - 1051. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Mesurolle, H. J. S. Bining, M. E. Khoury, A. Barhdadi, and E. Kao Contribution of tissue harmonic imaging and frequency compound imaging in interventional breast sonography. J. Ultrasound Med., July 1, 2006; 25(7): 845 - 855. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Q. Zhu, E. B. Cronin, A. A. Currier, H. S. Vine, M. Huang, N. Chen, and C. Xu Benign versus Malignant Breast Masses: Optical Differentiation with US-guided Optical Imaging Reconstruction Radiology, October 1, 2005; 237(1): 57 - 66. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Y. Kwak, E.-K. Kim, J. K. You, and K. K. Oh Variable Breast Conditions: Comparison of Conventional and Real-time Compound Ultrasonography J. Ultrasound Med., January 1, 2004; 23(1): 85 - 96. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Moy, P. J. Slanetz, R. Moore, S. Satija, E. D. Yeh, K. A. McCarthy, D. Hall, M. Staffa, E. A. Rafferty, E. Halpern, et al. Specificity of Mammography and US in the Evaluation of a Palpable Abnormality: Retrospective Review Radiology, October 1, 2002; 225(1): 176 - 181. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. J. Garcia, A. Espinoza, V. Dinamarca, O. Navarro, A. Daneman, H. Garcia, and A. Cattani Breast US in Children and Adolescents RadioGraphics, November 1, 2000; 20(6): 1605 - 1612. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. W. T. Leung and E. A. Sickles Multiple Bilateral Masses Detected on Screening Mammography: Assessment of Need for Recall Imaging Am. J. Roentgenol., July 1, 2000; 175(1): 23 - 29. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. M. Zonderland, E. G. Coerkamp, J. Hermans, M. J. van de Vijver, and A. E. van Voorthuisen Diagnosis of Breast Cancer: Contribution of US as an Adjunct to Mammography Radiology, November 1, 1999; 213(2): 413 - 422. [Abstract] [Full Text]