HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) CME Test (opens in a new window) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kim, S. M. Articles by Park, J. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kim, S. M. Articles by Park, J. M. Related Collections Breast (Imaging and Interventional) Ultrasound

Normal and Abnormal US Findings at the Mastectomy Site¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 388–1 Pungnap-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul 138–736, Korea. Recipient of a Certificate of Merit award for an education exhibit at the 2002 RSNA scientific assembly. Received March 17, 2003; revision requested May 7 and received June 26; accepted June 27. Both authors have no financial relationships to disclose. Address correspondence to J.M.P., Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics G3/120, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792-1840 (e-mail: jmpark@mail.radiology.wisc.edu).

Evaluation of a mastectomy site is more effective with ultrasonography (US) than with either mammography or chest computed tomography because abnormalities are usually small and close to the skin surface. US does not involve the use of ionizing radiation and has a multiplanar scanning capability. The technique is readily available and inexpensive, and it allows real-time monitoring of needle tip placement during biopsy of a lesion. Normal US anatomy of the chest wall after mastectomy usually consists of four layers: skin, subcutaneous fat, pectoral muscles, and rib and intercostal muscle. The axilla is changed in appearance after lymph node dissection, but it remains the same in patients who have undergone simple mastectomy. US can accurately depict benign and malignant conditions in the mastectomy site, including fluid collection, fibrosis, local recurrent tumor, and metastatic lymphadenopathy, and can enable accurate diagnosis based on findings at fine needle aspiration biopsy.

© RSNA, 2004

Index Terms: Breast, postoperative, 00.45 • Breast, surgery, 00.45 • Breast, US, 00.1298 • Breast neoplasms, 00.32 • Breast neoplasms, surgery, 00.45 Breast neoplasms, US, 00.1298

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. H. Youk, E.-K. Kim, M. J. Kim, and K. K. Oh Imaging Findings of Chest Wall Lesions on Breast Sonography J. Ultrasound Med., January 1, 2008; 27(1): 125 - 138. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]