Ultrasound characteristics of galactostasis at various physiological stages / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To observe the ultrasound characteristics of galactostasis at various physiological stages, so as to improve the diagnosis of galactostasis. Methods: The ultrasound data of 56 patients with galactostasis were retrospectively analyzed and the ultrasound characteristics were summarized. The ultrasonic manifestations of different physiological stages were compared. Results: During the lactation period,there were extensive mammary duct ectasias and floating weak signals were found in the mammary duct during pure galactostasis; large non-responsive fluid areas exhibited formations of honeycomb-like multilocular fibrous septa; and these cavities ruptured with abscess when secondary infection occurred. During the later lactation period,the dilated galactophores became hypoechoic or anechoic,which,together with the dot-like echoes of residual breast milk or macular strong echoes, formed mixed signals of retention cysts. After menopause, the galactophores atrophy occurred; the accumulation of galactostasis desiccated into patches or powder, which caused thick hyperechoic dots or multiple hyperechoic streaks in the galactophores or parenchyma. Conclusion: Ultrasonic images of galactostasis vary with the physiological and pathological changes of the mammary glands, and are related to the duration of galactostasis, absorption, concentration and desiccation of lactation.