Ultrasound evaluation of 140 palpable masses in radiopaque breast

In the diagnosis of breast disease, mammography in radiologically dense breasts in frequently of little value and where a suspicious lump is palpated, ultrasound may resolve the diagnosis. 140 patients with palpable breast masses, in whom the mammograms were intensely radiopaque, were examined using breast ultrasound. 42 were considered benign and checked at 4 monthly intervals. The accuracy of ultrasound in the remaining 98 patients with intensely radiopaque breasts was evaluated by comparison with cyto/histological findings. The 90 benign lesions found were correctly diagnosed by ultrasound in 69 instances (76.6%). It is concluded that in the presence of a palpable mass, ultrasound is a useful adjunct to mammography in the differential diagnosis of benign non-inflammatory breast pathology. However, mammography remains the first line diagnostic tool.