[Mammographic and sonographic appearances of traumatic changes in the female breast]

As a result of trauma, or surgery, haematomas develop which are visible and can be demonstrated by sonography; they either regress completely or leave circular foci after a period of days or weeks. Both the new and older lesions can usually be well shown by sonography. During these stages the sonogram may be valuable. Long-standing changes, such as fat necrosis, are best shown by mammography. There are three types of fat necrosis; oily cysts, mixed types or scarring leading to an appearance resembling a carcinoma. Oily cysts may undergo mural calcification leading to liponecrosis macrocystica or liponecrosis microcystica, depending on size.