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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Radiol Imaging 2013; 23(04): 366-372
DOI: 10.4103/0971-3026.125619
Breast Radiology

Mammographic and sonographic features of fat necrosis of the breast

Vidya S Upadhyaya
Department of Radiology, K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
,
Raghuraj Uppoor
Department of Radiology, K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
,
Lathika Shetty
Department of Radiology, K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
› Author Affiliations Financial support and sponsorship Nil.
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Abstract

Imaging features of fat necrosis vary depending on its stage of evolution and can mimic malignancy in late stages. Imaging may suffice to differentiate fat necrosis in the early stages from malignancy and thus avoid unnecessary biopsy. In this pictorial essay, we present combination of benign features in mammography and/or ultrasonography (USG) that can lead to imaging diagnosis of fat necrosis. The follow-up imaging features of fat necrosis which mirror its pathophysiological evolution have also been demonstrated. To summarize, in the appropriate clinical setting, no mammographic features suspicious for malignancy should be present. When the typical mammographic features are not present, USG can aid with the diagnosis and follow up USG can confirm it.

Keywords

Breast lump - complex nodule - fat necrosis - imaging - solid nodule


Publication History

Article published online:
30 July 2021

© 2013. Indian Radiological Association. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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