Ultrasonographic detection of interpectoral (Rotter's) node involvement in breast cancer

Prospectively, ultrasonographic examination of the interpectoral space was performed in 185 patients with clinical and/or mammographic evidence/suspicion of breast carcinoma. Of these, 86 patients treated by modified radical mastectomy were included in the study. Interpectoral lymph node metastases were found histopathologically in 12 (14%) of patients. Ultrasonographic examination of the interpectoral space revealed enlarged Rotter's node in 4 (4.6%) of patients, and 33.3% of patients with involved interpectoral nodes. Therefore, one-third of interpectoral node involvement could be detected ultrasonographically in this group. This sonographic study represents the first report on the interpectoral region with special attention to Rotter's node.