Mammographic appearance of accessory breast tissue in the axilla / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the mammographic appearance of accessory breast tissue in the axilla. Methods In the past 3 years, 7 562 women were underwent bilateral screen-film mammography. All of the mediolateral oblique(MLO) films were reviewed retrospectively to look for whether there was accessory breast tissue and what the mammographic features were like. Radiographically the accessory tissue resembled the main normal breast glandular tissue but was separated from it. Results Of the 7562 cases, accessory breast tissue in the axilla was detected in 161 cases. The prevalence was 2%. The age ranged from 17 to 70 years (mean, 39 years). 38% of them were found in the bilateral axilla, 42% only in the right, and 20% only in the left. The dimensions on the right ranged from 0.7 to 8.0 cm (mean, 3.5 cm), and that on the left ranged from 1.0 to 7.0 cm (mean, 3.3 cm). There were four types among the accessory breast tissue: patchy type was the most (35%), then the branched type(26%),mixed type(20%), and mass-like type(19%). 3 cases were proved by pathology. Conclusion It is important that the radiologist be familiar with the mammographic appearance of accessory breast tissue in the axilla in order that they could be distinguished from other pathological changes.