Diagnosis and treatment of cysts of the breast

The diagnosis and treatment of cysts of the breast are described. Surgical intervention in the vast majority of affected patients may be avoided by pneumocystography, a procedure involving puncture of the cyst, aspiration of its contents, air insufflation and interpretation of radiographs obtained in at least two planes. A smooth inner wall of the cyst indicates the common benign lesion. Irregularity of the inner wall is an absolute indication for surgical excision of the lesion.