Malignant hyperechoic breast lesions at ultrasound: A pictorial essay

J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol. 2016 Aug;60(4):506-13. doi: 10.1111/1754-9485.12468. Epub 2016 May 24.

Abstract

Malignant breast lesions are typically hypoechoic at sonography. However, a small subgroup of hyperechoic malignant breast lesions is encountered in clinical practice. We present a pictorial essay of a number of different hyperechoic breast malignancies with mammographic, sonographic and histopathologic correlation. Suspicious sonographic features in a hyperechoic lesion include inhomogeneity in echogenic pattern, an irregular margin, posterior acoustic shadowing and internal vascularity. A hyperechoic lesion at ultrasound does not discount the need to undertake histological assessment of a mammographically suspicious lesion.

Keywords: breast imaging; hyperechoic; malignancy; ultrasound.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Breast / diagnostic imaging
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mammography / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Ultrasonography, Mammary / methods*