Pregnancy-lactation cycle: how to use imaging methods for breast evaluation

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Oncology

Background:

• Pregnancy and lactation induce significant hormonal and structural breast changes.
• These alterations impact breast imaging findings and disease presentation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the safety of breast imaging modalities during the pregnancy-lactation cycle.
• To describe physiological breast changes and characteristic imaging appearances of common diseases in this period.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific articles and imaging studies.
• Analysis of breast imaging (mammography, ultrasound, MRI) findings.

Main Results:

• Discusses safety profiles of mammography, ultrasound, and MRI.
• Details imaging features of galactocele, lactating adenoma, fibroadenoma, mastitis, and pregnancy-associated breast cancer.

Conclusions:

• Breast imaging is generally safe during pregnancy and lactation when indicated.
• Accurate interpretation requires knowledge of pregnancy-related breast changes and specific pathologies.