Findings of breast sonography in patients with foal asymmetric breast density on mammography

Abstract

Background: The imaging parameters that mandate further diagnostic workup in focal asymmetric breast densities are not clearly defined. To identify indications for further workup in Focal asymmetric breast densities (FABD) by doing ultrasonography.

Methods: One-hundred women underwent breast ultrasonography after incidental discovery of FABD on mammograms. Mammograms and sonograms were evaluated for lesion location, associated calcifications, architectural distortion and change from previous examination when available.

Results: Twenty three patients had abnormal sonographic findings and the site of sonographic abnormal findings was the same as the site of FABD on mammography. Sonographic findings were 7 focal increases in fibrous tissue, 5 ductal ectasias,4 simple cysts, complex cyst in one, 4 benign solid masses, one malignant solid mass and one with fibrous tissue at the site of pervious breast surgery. There was a significant relation between FABD in upper inner quadrant and normal sonography (p=0.036) and FABD in retroareolar region and ductal ectasia in sonography (p=0.002).

Conclusion: FABD usually present a benign etiology and can safely be managed by follow up. Sonography helps the physician do tissue diagnosis by detecting mass with features of possibly malignancy, in the women with negative physical examination.

Keywords: Asymmetric; Breast; Density; Mammography; Sonography.