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Updated: Jan 22, 2026
High-frequency Ultrasound Imaging of Mouse Cervical Lymph Nodes
Published on: July 25, 2015
Intramammary lymph nodes: normal and abnormal multimodality imaging features
Almir Gv Bitencourt1, Eduardo Vl Ferreira1, David C Bastos1
1Department of Imaging, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil Rua Professor Antônio Prudente, 211, Liberdade, São Paulo-SP.
Insights
Intramammary lymph nodes (IMLN) are common benign mammography findings. Radiologists must identify abnormal IMLN features that may indicate malignancy or metastasis, requiring further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Intramammary lymph nodes (IMLN) are frequent benign findings on screening mammography.
- Abnormal IMLN features can mimic malignancy or indicate metastatic spread.
- Benign conditions like reactive hyperplasia and silicone lymphadenopathy can affect IMLN appearance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the imaging characteristics of intramammary lymph nodes (IMLN).
- To differentiate benign IMLN from malignant lesions on mammography.
- To highlight the role of IMLN in breast cancer staging and prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of mammographic imaging features of IMLN.
- Correlation with clinical and pathological data.
- Discussion of differential diagnoses for abnormal IMLN.
Main Results:
- Typical IMLN exhibit a fatty hilum and oval shape.
- Abnormal features include absent hilum, thickened cortex, irregular margins, and interval change.
- IMLN can represent locoregional spread in known breast cancer patients.
- Malignant breast tumors can sometimes mimic IMLN.
Conclusions:
- Accurate assessment of IMLN on mammography is crucial for patient management.
- Radiologists must be vigilant for atypical IMLN features suggestive of malignancy.
- Understanding IMLN characteristics aids in excluding benign conditions and identifying potential cancer spread.
Abstract:
Intramammary lymph nodes (IMLN) are one of the most common benign findings at screening mammography. However, abnormal IMLN features, such as diminished or absent hilum, thickened cortex, not circumscribed margins, increased size or interval change, warrants additional follow-up or pathologic analysis to exclude malignancy. Some benign inflammatory conditions may be associated with imaging-detected suspected abnormal IMLN, such as reactive hyperplasia and silicone-induced lymphadenopathy. In patients with known breast cancer, IMLN are a potential site of locoregional spread, which can change the prognosis and management. In some cases, initial breast carcinomas can also mimic IMLN. Breast radiologists must also be aware of the typical and atypical characteristics of IMLN to suggest further investigation when it is necessary.
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