Breast pathologies: Kaleidoscope of conventional mammography, sonography, magnetic resonance mammography, and histopathology features

Abstract

Breast can be the seat of a number of benign and malignant pathologies. Even though digital mammography - with or without correlative ultrasonography - is still largely the mainstay of breast imaging, the newer technique of magnetic resonance mammography has come of age. Capable of capturing wide and varied morphology of diverse breast lesions, it can contribute in a major way to the diagnosis and management of some patients. Characteristic magnetic resonance mammography features can help obviate the need of a biopsy in lesions like hamartomas, and benign virginal hyperplasia, whereas in conditions like invasive lobular carcinoma and Paget's disease, it can make a significant difference to the surgical plan. This pictorial kaleidoscope presents the imaging and histopathology characteristics of many usual and unusual breast lesions.