MAMMOGRAPHIC ASYMMETRIC DENSITIES: ULTRASOUND AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION.

Abstract

Mammoraphic densities have been found to be related to breast cancer risk. Mammographic density is classified into: almost entirely fatty, scattered fibroglandular tissue, heterogeneously dense and extremely dense. The breasts usually develop with general symmetric distribution of tissue. Asymmetric area may be indicative of a developing mass, variation of normal breast tissue, postoperative change from a previous surgical intervention, or merely poor positioning and compression during imaging. There are four different types of asymmetric breast findings; asymmetric breast tissue, focal asymmetric densities, architectural distortion and asymmetric densities seen in one projection. Once these findings are detected at standard mammography, supplementary breast •imaging is required.

US is mandatory, once an asymmetric density is detected on mammography. The presence of bypoechoic :;;olid mass, area of distorted echopattem or focal shadowing need to be correlated with histopathology, while the presence of a simple cyst within the asymmetric density, requires only routine follow up.

This study aimed to correlate between US and histopathology in the

•diagnosis of the cause of the mammographic asymmetric density. We have also discussed and illustrated US findings in correlation with histopathology in a variety of benign and malignant conditions that can manifest on mammography as an asymmetric density.

Fifty patients were enrolled in this prospective study. The different J

mammographic asymmetric densities were further evaluated by US and