Objective: To determine the ultrasonographic and mammographic features of
intraductal breast masses that may be associated with malignancy.
Patients and Methods: We compared US and manunographic findings with the
histopathology in 198 patients with 251 intraductal breast masses. The radiologist
assessed US features of the mass, its distance from the nipple, the pattern of duct filling
by the mass, whether the mass involved the branch ducts and the presence of abnormal
axillary lymph nodes. The mammograms were assessed for the presence of a mass,
calcifications, a mass with calcifications and asymmetry.
Results: Histopathology revealed 46 malignant masses (18.3%) and 205 benign masses
(81.7%). Malignant masses were larger than benign masses, have greater distance from
the nipple, commonly filled the duct completely, extended outside the duct, and involved
branch duct whereas benign masses commonly filled the duct incompletely and none
extended outside the duct or involved -branch duct. On mammography, clustered
micocalcifications was commonly associated with malignant masses.
Conclusion: Intraductal masses that completely filled duct, extended outside the duct
or involved branch ducts, its distance from the nipple is >15mm or associated with
abnormal axillary lymph nodes on US or microcalcifications on mammography, all these
findings may be associated with malignancy. |
