Breast masses in the augmentation mammaplasty patient: the role of ultrasound.

The detection and evaluation of breast parenchymal abnormalities in the presence of a radiodense implant are often difficult with standard techniques of physical examination and mammography. Breast lesions can be obscured on one or both views by the radiodense implant or concealed within the dense tissue at the prosthesis-breast tissue interface. We investigated the role of ultrasound as an adjunct to mammographic special views, including posterior displacement (Eklund et al.), in previously augmented patients who presented with a clinically palpable mass. The records of 125 consecutive breast augmentation patients seen by us over a 4-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-six patients presented with a palpable breast abnormality. All 26 patients underwent diagnostic mammograms and sonograms. Findings included 8 parenchymal lesions (4 cysts, 2 fibroadenomas, 1 seroma, 1 breast carcinoma), 8 implant-related irregularities (4 ruptures, 3 bulges, and 1 valve), and normal fibroglandular tissue in 10 patients. Mammography yielded a convincing diagnosis in 7 of 26 patients, whereas ultrasound characterized the abnormality in every case. Ultrasound is a useful adjunct to mammography in evaluating palpable breast abnormalities in the breast augmentation patient. It offers improved visualization of the breast tissue-prosthesis interface, and it is helpful in distinguishing breast parenchymal lesions from palpable irregularities of the implant.