Articles
Articles are a collaborative effort to provide a single canonical page on all topics relevant to the practice of radiology. As such, articles are written and continuously improved upon by countless contributing members. Our dedicated editors oversee each edit for accuracy and style. Find out more about articles.
18 results found
Article
Mammography
Mammography is a dedicated radiographic technique for imaging the breast, and the resultant images are known as mammograms.
Types of mammography
In general terms, there are two types of mammography: screening and diagnostic.
Mammography differs significantly in many respects from the rest of ...
Article
Conditions involving the nipple-areolar complex
The nipple areolar complex is a major anatomic landmark of the breast. It may be affected by variation in its embryological development, breast maturation and also by other benign and malignant conditions.
Variant anatomy
amazia
polythelia
nipple retraction or inversion
enlarged nipple
Ben...
Article
Breast mass
Breast masses are three-dimensional space-occupying lesions in the breasts. This article provides an overview of the standard BI-RADS terminology used to describe breast masses in radiology reports and other reporting suggestions.
Radiographic features
Breast masses are described differently b...
Article
Ultrasound guided breast biopsy
Ultrasound-guided percutaneous breast biopsy is a widely used technique for an accurate histopathological assessment of suspected breast pathology. It is a fast, safe and economical procedure.
Indications
Ultrasound guidance is limited to lesions visible on ultrasound study. The biopsy is gene...
Article
Artifacts that mimic breast calcification
Artifacts that mimic breast calcification can arise from a number of external sources of radiopaque material that leave particulate residue on or within the skin. These include:
deodorants/antiperspirants, particularly solid applicator products 1
powders, such as those containing talc 2,3
soa...
Article
Breast MRI
Breast MRI is the most sensitive method (>90%) for the detection of breast cancer. Its role in diagnosis and management continues to evolve 13.
Terminology
Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI provides information about the morphology and function of a lesion with high sensitivity but moderate ...
Article
Breast density
Breast density refers to the amount of fibroglandular tissue in a breast relative to fat. It can significantly vary between individuals and within individuals over a lifetime.
Classification
There are four descriptors for breast density on mammography in the 5th edition of BI-RADS 1,2:
a: the...
Article
Breast MRI enhancement curves
Following administration of gadolinium, there can be three possible enhancement (time intensity) kinetic curves for a lesion on breast MRI (these are also applied in other organs such as prostate MRI). These are sometimes termed the Kuhl enhancement curves.
type I curve: progressive or persiste...
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 echotexture
Breast echotexture refers to the background tissue appearance on breast sonography, analogous to breast density/amount of fibroglandular tissue on mammography and MRI. There are three categories of tissue composition according to the BI-RADS lexicon 1:
homogeneous background echotexture – fat
...
Article
Forbidden areas in mammography
In breast imaging, forbidden, check or review areas are zones that, according to Tabár, require special attention in mammographic interpretation. These are:
on a mediolateral oblique (MLO) view
the "Milky Way" (retromammary fat): a 3-4 cm wide band parallel to the edge of the pectoral muscle
...
Article
Screening for breast cancer
Screening for breast cancer includes activities which test members of asymptomatic populations for breast cancer. Many advanced countries have breast screening programs. The most widely adopted method for breast cancer screening is mammography.
There are few areas in imaging fraught with more c...
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
Giant breast mass
Giant breast masses are defined as breast masses >5 cm and may represent a late presentation of breast pathology, particularly in developing countries. They may be single or multiple and either benign or malignant. Many of the underlying etiologies for giant breast masses are indistinguishable o...
Article
Clothing artifact
Clothing artifacts, like jewelry artifacts, are a regular feature on imaging examinations, especially plain radiographs, but in general are recognized for what they are, either at the time the image is taken by the radiographer, or later by the reporting radiologist. The radiographer will often ...
Article
Step-oblique mammography
Step-oblique mammography is an accurate technique for determining whether a mammographic finding visible on multiple images on only one projection (but not elucidated using standard additional mammographic projections) represents a summation artifact or a true mass and for precisely localizing t...
Article
Nipple markers
Nipple markers can be a useful technique in the evaluation of small radiodensities overlying the expected position of the nipple on a chest radiograph. Not uncommonly a small round opacity projects over the lower thorax on a chest radiograph (see: solitary pulmonary nodule).
Often, especially i...
Article
Triangulation
Triangulation is a technique for localizing lesions seen on at least two views on 2D mammography.
Technique
hang the CC, MLO, and 90° lateral films (in that order) on the view box
the nipple on each film must be at the same level
use a ruler and place one end over the lesion on the 90° later...
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.