J Korean Radiol Soc.  2007 Dec;57(6):583-594. 10.3348/jkrs.2007.57.6.583.

Spectrum of Axillary Disorders (Excluding Metastasis from Breast Cancer): Radiological and Pathological Correlation: A Pictorial Essay

• Kim HJ
• Kim KW
• Park YS
• Chung DJ
• Cho YJ
• Hwang CM
• Yoo HM
• Kim YM
• Lee MR

• KMID: 1945362
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2007.57.6.583

Abstract

Axillary disorders originate from an axillary lymph node, subcutaneous fat layer, accessory breast, nerve, vessel and muscle. The most common causes of a palpable axillary mass are a lymph node pathology containing a benign axillary lymphadenopathy, and malignant lymph nodes such as a metastatic lymphadenopathy from breast cancer and a malignant lymphoma. For the detection of masses in the axilla, mammography and sonography are the imaging modalities of choice. We present a spectrum of various axillary masses with correlative radiological imaging and pathological findings in this pictorial essay. Knowledge of the radiological findings of various axillary disorders is useful for a differential diagnosis and for preventing unnecessary invasive procedures.

Keyword

Radiography; Ultrasonography; Mammary neoplasms; Lymphatic system; Lymphatic metastasis; Axilla

MeSH Terms

Animals
Axilla
Breast Neoplasms
Breast*
Diagnosis, Differential
Lymph Nodes
Lymphatic Diseases
Lymphatic Metastasis
Lymphatic System
Lymphoma
Mammary Neoplasms, Animal
Mammography
Neoplasm Metastasis*
Pathology
Radiography
Subcutaneous Fat
Ultrasonography