The radiologic workup of a palpable breast mass

L. STEIN, M. CHELLMAN-JEFFERS
2009 Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine  
■ ■ The finding of a palpable breast mass on physical examination often warrants a radiologic workup including directed ultrasonography, diagnostic mammography, and, at times, biopsy with ultrasonographic guidance. The choice of initial imaging study is most often guided by the patient's age at presentation. Communicating the clinical findings to both the patient and the radiologist helps ensure the selection of the most appropriate imaging studies and helps in the interpretation of those
more » ... s. Every woman with a palpable breast mass, regardless of her age, should undergo imaging to exclude or establish the diagnosis of cancer. Key Points ■ ■ Typically, in women under age 30, ultrasonography is the first or the only test ordered to evaluate the abnormality. In women age 30 or older, diagnostic mammography is typically the first test ordered.
doi:10.3949/ccjm.76a.08015 pmid:19258464 fatcat:daoxbt55hrfmvmn76dnko7hmde