Sonography of axillary masses: what should be considered other than the lymph nodes?

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to review the sonographic findings of various axillary masses other than lymph nodes in correlation with other imaging and pathologic findings.

METHODS

From a sonographic database, we collected interesting cases of axillary masses with pathologic or other imaging corroboration from the last 10 years.

RESULTS

Images of various soft tissue masses were reviewed. They included masses associated with accessory breasts (fibroadenomas, hamartomas, fat necrosis, and cancer arising from axillary breasts), other soft tissue masses (lipomas, schwannomas, hemangiomas, fibromatosis, epidermoid cysts, and malignant fibrous histiocytomas), and complications presenting as masses after axillary lymph node dissection (seromas, hematomas, suture granulomas, pseudoaneurysms, and lymphangiectasia).

CONCLUSIONS

Awareness of the characteristic sonographic findings of various disease entities that cause axillary masses will help in the correct diagnosis of axillary masses.