Image presentation. The nipple-areolar complex: a pictorial review of common and uncommon conditions

The purpose of this presentation is to show the radiologic findings of normal variants and benign and malignant diseases that affect the nipple-areolar complex.

We evaluated the imaging findings of nipple-areolar complex lesions, using multiple breast imaging modalities including mammography, sonography, galactography, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography/computed tomography.

Radiologic features of nipple-areolar complex lesions, including Montgomery tubercles, nipple inversion, benign calcifications, inflammation, duct dilatations, intraductal papillomas, fibroadenomas, neurofibromatosis, dermatosis of the nipple, and breast malignancy, have been illustrated.

A clinical examination is essential and an appropriate imaging evaluation with multiple modalities is often necessary to accurately diagnose an underlying abnormality of the nipple-areolar complex. Given the limitations of conventional mammography, supplemental mammographic views often are needed, and sonography may be performed to further characterize a mammographic or clinical finding. Also, contrast-enhanced MRI may be useful for additional evaluation.