Cystic Lesions of the Breast: Sonographic-Pathologic Correlation

Abstract

Symptomatic complicated cysts generally warrant aspiration. All clustered microcysts were benign, but further study is required. Cystic lesions with thick indistinct walls and/or thick septations (> or =0.5 mm), intracystic masses, and predominantly solid masses with eccentric cystic foci should be examined at biopsy; 18 of 79 of such complex cystic lesions proved malignant in this series.

Benign breast lesions: Ultrasound

“…1B) or liquideliquid levels (e.g. galactocele) [24]. They should be evacuated if they are symptomatic or if there are diagnostic doubts.…”

“…Morphological features which are suspicious for malignancy are thick isoechoic intracystic septations, mural nodules, fibrovascular stalk in the solid components and a microcystic appearance or microlobulated contour [3,24,25]. In 85%e90% of cases the lesion is a benign intracystic papilloma, and in the remaining 10%e15% of cases it is a papillary lesion with atypia or intracystic papillary carcinoma.…”

Mucocele-Like Tumors of the Breast as Cystic Lesions: Sonographic-Pathologic Correlation

“…according to BI-RADS [14] and the sonographic cystic mass classification described by Berg and colleagues [13].…”

“…It has been suggested that on mammograms, mucocele-like tumors associated with malignancy have microcalcifications more frequently and to a greater extent than do benign mucocele-like tumors [7,11]. Two reports [12,13] have described attempts to differentiate benign and malignant cystic lesions in various pathologic conditions.The purpose of our study was to review the mammographic and sonographic findings of mucocele-like tumors and to correlate the imaging findings with the pathologic findings. A secondary purpose was to evaluate the differential radiologic findings of pure mucocelelike tumors and mucocele-like tumors associated with ADH or malignancy of the breast Because mucocele-like tumors may be associated with these other conditions, it is difficult to differentiate a pure mucocele-like tumor from a malignant tumor with fine-needle aspiration or core needle biopsy findings, and complete excision is recommended [5][6][7][8][9].…”

“…It has been suggested that on mammograms, mucocele-like tumors associated with malignancy have microcalcifications more frequently and to a greater extent than do benign mucocele-like tumors [7,11]. Two reports [12,13] have described attempts to differentiate benign and malignant cystic lesions in various pathologic conditions.…”