Ultrasonographic Findings of Breast Abscess

Shin, Hyeong Cheol; Oh, Ki Keun

Journal of Korean Society of Medical Ultrasound 1995;14(1): 95-99.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE : Breast abscess cannot be differentiated from breast malignancy by film mammography. Pain and spreadof infection can be developed during film mammography procedure due to compression. However, ultrasonography isknown to be an adequate procedure for diagnosis of breast abscesses. Therefore, we performed the present study todocument the ultrasonographic findings of breast abscess. MATERIAL & METHODS : We analyzed ultrasonograms of ninexases with surgically proven breast abscesses. All patients were female and their ages ranged from l2 to 56 years(average, 35 years). RESULTS : The lesion was located in the right breast in four cases, and in the left in leftin five cases. On ultrasonography, all lesions were anechoic or low echoic. The lesion showed mixed echogenicityin five cases. Posterior acoustic enhancement was noted in seven cases. Lateral shadowing was seen in four cases.There were skin thickening in five cases and subcutaneous fat obliteration in all cases. CONCLUSION :Ultrasonography is useful in the diagnosis of breast abscess.

Keywords: Breast. abscess Breast. abscess. US