Ultrasonography for Non-Mass Breast Lesion (Abnormalities)

There are various images of breast lesions. The counter of breast tumors are not always clearly defined. Japan Association of Breast and Thyroid Sonology (JABTS) categorized breast lesion into masses and non-mass abnormalities. A non-mass abnormalities refer to lesions that are difficult to recognize as a mass in ultrasound images, which may coexist with mass. A non-mass abnormality may be able to identify by checking for the following five findings. 1st. Abnormalities of the ducts 2nd. Hypoechoic areas within the mammary gland 3rd. Clustered microcysts 4th. Architectural distortion 5th. Echogenic foci without a hypoechoic area If the distribution of abnormalities is diffuse, bilateral, or multi-segmented, the lesion is classified as category 2. While the distribution is segmented or localized, the lesion is classified as category 3 or higher. When microcalcifications, increased vascularities and increased stiffness are observed in the same region, the lesion is classified as category 4 or higher. These findings could lead to diagnose non-invasive ductal carcinoma, intraductal papilloma, fibrocystic changes, inflammation disease, and invasive carcinoma.