Sonographic features of inflammatory conditions of the breast

Inflammatory conditions of the breast can be a diagnostic challenge, and ultrasound is a proven valuable tool in this setting. In acute infective conditions, ultrasound is often a superior tool to mammography due to the impracticality of applying compression to the breast and the increased parenchymal density of these often younger patients. Although infective processes comprise the majority of inflammatory conditions in the breast, not infrequently other various disease processes can masquerade as infections. In particular, inflammatory breast cancer can be easily misdiagnosed as an infective process and sonography can play an important role in expediting the correct diagnosis. Furthermore, aspiration, drainage and biopsy are frequently required in managing breast inflammation and breast disease generally, and ultrasound is the most practical imaging modality facilitating such interventions. This article provides a review of the ultrasound characteristics of some of the more frequently encountered inflammatory disorders of the breast which span a spectrum of acute to chronic conditions. The various conditions in this report are described in terms of their specific sonographic imaging features as well as pathogenesis, common clinical presentations, and aspects of management are outlined where appropriate.