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Ultrasound of pediatric breast masses: what to do with lumps and bumps

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Abstract

The approach to breast masses in children differs from that in adults in many ways, including the differential diagnostic considerations, imaging algorithm and appropriateness of biopsy as a means of further characterization. Most pediatric breast masses are benign, either related to breast development or benign neoplastic processes. Biopsy is rarely needed and can damage the developing breast; thus radiologists must be familiar with the imaging appearance of common entities so that biopsies are judiciously recommended. The purpose of this article is to describe the imaging appearances of the normally developing pediatric breast as well as illustrate the imaging findings of a spectrum of diseases, including those that are benign (fibroadenoma, juvenile papillomatosis, pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia, gynecomastia, abscess and fat necrosis), malignant (breast carcinoma and metastases), and have variable malignant potential (phyllodes tumor).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA

    Natalie S. Valeur, Habib Rahbar & Teresa Chapman

  2. Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA, USA

    Habib Rahbar

  3. Department of Radiology, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Mail Stop MA.07.220, P.O. Box 5371, Seattle, WA, 98145, USA

    Teresa Chapman

Authors
  1. Natalie S. Valeur
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  2. Habib Rahbar
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  3. Teresa Chapman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Teresa Chapman.

Additional information

This article was awarded the John Caffey Award for Best Educational Poster at the Society for Pediatric Radiology 2014 meeting.

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This article has been selected as the CME activity for the current month. Please visit the SPR Web site at www.pedrad.org on the Education page and follow the instructions to complete this CME activity.

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Valeur, N.S., Rahbar, H. & Chapman, T. Ultrasound of pediatric breast masses: what to do with lumps and bumps. Pediatr Radiol 45, 1584–1599 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-015-3402-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-015-3402-0

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