Imaging Findings of Palpable Benign Masses in the Axilla.

Lee,  Ji Young; Kim,  Eun Kyung; Kim,  Min Jung; Youk,  Ji Hyun; Oh,  Ki Keun

Journal of Korean Society of Ultrasound in Medicine 2006;25(1): 21-29.

Ji Young Lee, Eun Kyung Kim, Min Jung Kim, Ji Hyun Youk, Ki Keun Oh

Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 134, Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea. ekkim@yumc.ac.kr

Published online: March 1, 2006.

ABSTRACT

The most common pathologic conditions in the axilla are the diseases related to lymph nodes, of which the most serious condition is a malignant lesion such as the metastatic lymphadenopathy or lymphoma. However, various benign conditions in the axilla have been reported and some of them show characteristic imaging findings which allow presumptive diagnosis to be made without invasive procedures. We review various conditions of benign axillary mass and illustrate typical findings in this essay. Sonography can evaluate the axillary area easily and immediately performed sonography-guided core needle biopsy is also useful when the axillary mass does not have typical benign features.

Keywords: Axilla; Axilla, diseases; Neoplasms, diagnosis; Neoplasms, US; Ultrasound (US)