Resolution of Hypoechoic Mass by Fine-Needle Aspiration.
10.4048/jkbcs.2004.7.1.37
- Author:
Dong Seok LEE
1
;
Jong Ki LEE
;
Ji Whoa KIM
Author Information
1. Seoul Breast Clinic, Korea. friend4u@chol.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Breast ultrasonography;
Cyst;
Aspiration
- MeSH:
Acoustics;
Biopsy;
Biopsy, Fine-Needle*;
Breast Cyst;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Needles;
Ultrasonography;
Ultrasonography, Mammary
- From:Journal of Korean Breast Cancer Society
2004;7(1):37-42
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Small breast cysts, which can be resolved by fine-needle aspiration, are often presented as hypoechoic masses on ultrasound examinations. They can be misinterpreted as benign tumors and cause unnecessary follow-ups or biopsies. The aim of this study was to find out the proportion of atypical breast cysts, which can be resolved by needle aspiration, among hypoechoic masses less than 1 cm in size and to investigate the relationship between the characteristics of a mass and its probability of being cystic. METHODS: Between March 2003 and May 2003, we found and aspirated 119 hypoechoic masses less than 1 cm in size from 104 consecutive patients. RESULTS: Mass size ranged from 2.5 mm to 9.8 mm, with a median size of 5.5 mm. Among the 119 hypoechoic masses, 40 masses (33.6%) were cystic and 79 masses (66.4%) were solid. Among the 40 cystic masses, 37 were completely resolved by needle aspiration, one mass was reduced to half, and the 2 remaining masses were reduced to a third of their sizes. In patients in their 20's, 11.1% of the hypoechoic masses were cystic masses, the ratios for patients in their 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60's were 11.4%, 32.0%, 76.2%, and 75%, respectively (P<0.001). With decreasing internal echo of mass, the likelihood of being a cyst increased (P=0.026). However predicting the probability of being a cyst by the margin, the degree of posterior acoustic enhancement, and the location of the mass was difficult (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Needle aspiration must be considered in small hypoechoic masses not speculated as definite solid masses.
