In subsolid nodules, spiculation is a predictive feature for invasiveness. Can a Spiculated nodule be benign?īenign conditions that can manifest as spiculated nodule are infection, tuberculomas, inflammatory pseudotumours, focal atelectasis, and fibrosis (Fig.

Read More: What is volatile and nonvolatile acid? Are Spiculated masses ever benign?Īlthough a spiculated mass is thought of as a classic finding of malignancy on mammography, ultrasound, and MRI, its differential diagnosis includes benign lesions. Hypoechoic less echogenic (darker) than normal. Ultrasound terms: Hyperechoic more echogenic (brighter) than normal. Ultrasound is a very good tool to direct the diagnostic pathway. In reality, while the majority of lipomas are hyperechoic, a significant proportion of them can also be hypoechoic or isoechoic (5). These soft-tissue masses are lower in reflectivity than muscle but more reflective than adjacent subcutaneous fat. Your doctor will usually do further testing if an ultrasound shows a solid mass or what looks like abnormal tissue. Abnormal tissue also looks different from healthy tissue on a sonogram. Cysts filled with air or fluid are usually hyperechoic and are rarely cancerous. Solid masses are hypoechoic and can be cancerous. A nodule has a range of densities depending on what it is made of. Density describes how compact a substance like bone or tissue appears on an image. Most nodules that are not cancer have smooth or rounded margins or look like several rounded nodules together (also called lobulated). The margins can be described as circumscribed, microlobulated, obscured (partially hidden by adjacent tissue), indistinct (ill-defined), or spiculated (characterized by lines radiating from the mass).

An irregular shape suggests a greater likelihood of malignancy. Can a Microlobulated mass be benign?Ĭircumscribed oval and round masses are usually benign. (SPIH-kyoo-LAY-ted ) A lump of tissue with spikes or points on the surface. Although microcalcifications are often associated with breast carcinoma, not all spiculated lesions with microcalcifications are malignant. Mammographically, such lesions are often similar, and only some can be differentiated on the basis of morphologic characteristics. (s–kk) Producing ultrasound echoes equal to those of neighboring or of normal tissues. On MRI, a mass with spiculated margins (PPV 88%), rim enhancement (PPV 79%), or washout (Type-III) kinetics (PPV 87%) suggests malignancy, while a lobulated mass with non-enhancing internal septations (NPV 95%) and persistent (Type-I) kinetics (NPV 94%) suggests benignity.

Breast contour definition