Breast Imaging Flashcards
When is breast imaging needed?
Symptomatic patients: Lumps Bloody nipple discharge Skin tethering Signs of inflammation
What is the 1st line breast imaging tool in a patient under 40?
Ultrasound
What is the 1st line breast imaging tool in a patient over 40?
Mammography +/- ultrasound
Mammography is a type of XRAY. True/False?
True
Low-dose XRAY that maximises contrast between breast tissue with minimal radiation
What is the advantage of digitial mammography over conventional (film/screen) mammography?
Digital mammography has better contrast resolution between dense and non-dense tissue
Faster image acquisition and processing
List the structures that can be seen on a normal mammogram
Skin Fat (low density) Glands (high density) Trabeculae Blood vessels Lymph nodes Calcifications
What are the 2 main views/planes in which a mammogram is taken?
Mediolateral oblique
Craniocaudal
How does the distribution of benign lesions differ to malignant lesions on mammogram?
Benign: scattered or diffuse
Malignant: clustered or segmental
Why can ultrasound be helpful following a mammogram?
Characterises findings - differentiates cysts from solid lesions
Describe the appearance of benign nodules on breast ultrasound
Circumscribed
Wider than tall
Homogeneous
Often multiple
Describe the appearance of malignant nodules on breast ultrasound
Poorly circumscribed
Taller than wide
Heterogeneous
Often single
What is ultrasound elastography?
Ultrasound with “palpation” - assess whether a lesion is soft or hard
Why is MRI sometimes used for imaging breasts?
Good intrinsic tissue contrast
No ionising radiation
Accuracy independent of tissue density (mammogram less sensitive in dense breasts)
