[Suction-radiography in mammography (author's transl)].

The value of the suction apparatus used in over 500 examinations as a simple addition to mammography has been convincing in our hands. Suction of 30 mm Hg, produced with a test-rubber bulb, achieves distension or stretching of the mamma. This leads to changes of position, shape and density of normal and pathologic structures and gives further information, compared with routine mammography. It is often possible to distinguish between spaces filled with fluid (cysts, hematomata) and solid tumours, pseudotumours and genuine growths, and between benign and malignant tumours. One essential indication is the "small" breast of various types (constitutional, post-operative and in men), because often suction will enable us to do a mammography. Suction radiographs are added in every 10th patient to previously taken compression radiographs with, of course, large and coned radiographs, which will yield a safe diagnosis in one half of the cases or confirm suspected findings.