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DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1729124
Hyperechoic Lesions on Breast Ultrasound: All Things Bright and Beautiful?
Abstract
Ultrasound (US) lexicon of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) defines an echogenic breast mass as a lesion that is hyperechoic in comparison with subcutaneous adipose tissue. However, at sonography, only 0.6 to 5.6% of breast masses are echogenic and the majority of these lesions are benign. approximately, 0.5% of malignant breast lesions appear hyperechoic. The various benign pathologic entities that appear echogenic on US are lipoma, hematoma, seroma, fat necrosis, abscess, pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia, galactocele, etc. The malignant diagnoses that may present as hyperechoic lesions on breast US are invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, metastasis, lymphoma, and angiosarcoma. Echogenic breast masses need to be correlated with mammographic findings and clinical history. Lesions with worrisome features such as a spiculated margin, interval enlargement, interval vascularity, or association with suspicious microcalcifications on mammography require biopsy. In this article, we would like to present a pictorial review of patients who presented to our department with echogenic breast masses and were subsequently found to have various malignant as well as benign etiologies on histopathology.
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Introduction
Breast ultrasound (BUS) is an indispensable technique in the evaluation of breast pathologies, as a primary or an adjunct modality to mammography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS)[1] provides unambiguous descriptors for reporting of breast masses on ultrasound to aid in the differentiation of benign from malignant. These descriptors include shape, margin, echogenicity, etc. Hyperechogenicity of a mass has traditionally been associated with benignity in the past.[2] However, in the present decade, many reports have emerged stating that malignant lesions may be hyperechoic on ultrasound[3] [4] [5] and vice versa. In this article, we present a pictorial review of echogenic breast masses that were subsequently found to have various malignant as well as benign etiologies on histopathology.
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Teaching Points
At sonography, only 0.6 to 5.6% of breast masses are echogenic and the majority of these lesions are benign. Approximately, 0.5% of malignant breast lesions appear hyperechoic on BUS. Echogenic lesions with worrisome features such as a spiculated margin, interval enlargement, or association with suspicious calcifications on mammography require biopsy.[6] [7] Similarly, lesions with internal vascularity at US warrant close attention, since up to 64% of primary or secondary breast lymphomas are hypervascular and melanoma metastases are almost always hypervascular.[4]
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Benign Pathologies
Fat-Containing
Hamartoma
Hamartoma is a pathological entity characterized by abnormal arrangement of normal cells and tissues within an organ. They are more often seen in middle-aged women, presenting as painless masses. On mammography, a circumscribed round or oval, mixed density mass is visualized. On BUS, an oval-to-round circumscribed lesion is identified with an echogenic or echolucent periphery (pseudocapsule formed due to compression of normal surrounding parenchyma).[3] [5] The echogenicity of the lesion depends on the relative ratio of fat and epithelial components, and is often similar to the normal breast parenchyma, giving it a “breast-within-breast” appearance ([Fig. 1]).[8]
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Lipoma
Lipomas are common benign tumors characterized by proliferation of mature adipocytes and may manifest as soft, painless, palpable lump(s) in the breast. A well-circumscribed radiolucent mass may be seen on mammography. On BUS, it may be hypoechoic, isoechoic, or hyperechoic, albeit homogenous and with no internal or peripheral vascularity ([Fig. 2]).[3] [4]
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An echogenic mass that is radiolucent on mammogram does not warrant a biopsy. However, heterogeneous internal echotexture or presence of cystic component or increase in size raises suspicion for liposarcoma and surgical excision could be performed.[4]
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Fibrous Tissue
Pseudoangiomatous Stromal Hyperplasia (PASH)
PASH of the breast is a benign mesenchymal tumor resulting from proliferation of myofibroblasts in patients with high density of progesterone receptors. It commonly presents as a diffuse involvement, and presentation as a nodular lesion is rare. When it occurs in the nodular form, it may be seen as a mass or asymmetry on mammography or may even be occult. On BUS, a well-circumscribed solid oval hypoechoic or heterogeneous mass may be seen; however, occasionally it is seen as an echogenic mass.[3] [4] Though it is benign in etiology, excision may be indicated in symptomatic or enlarging lesions or those with atypical imaging features ([Fig. 3]).
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Focal Fibrosis
Also known as solitary fibrous tumor of the breast, focal fibrosis has been recognized as distinct pathological entity for a decade. It is characterized by fibrous tissue proliferation with obliteration of the lobular–ductal parenchyma. It may appear as a well-circumscribed mass or an ill-defined lesion. On ultrasound, it may be observed as hypoechoic or echogenic, with the echogenicity resulting from interfaces created by tightly packed fibrous strands without interposed fatty tissue ([Fig. 4]).[3]
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00050590/202101/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0041-1729124_1_4419_04.jpg)
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Miscellaneous
Fat Necrosis
Fat necrosis is inflammation of the fat within the breast secondary to injury resulting from direct trauma or surgical interventions, such as biopsy, lumpectomy, mammoplasty, or reconstructive surgery, or after radiation therapy. When symptomatic, it presents as a painless lump. On mammography, common appearances include oil cysts and coarse calcifications, while occasionally it may present as an irregular mass or distortion. On ultrasound, fat necrosis may manifest as an echogenic mass or an anechoic mass with posterior acoustic enhancement or shadowing ([Fig. 5]).[3] [4] [5] In patients with fat necrosis, clinical history plays an important role in clinching the diagnosis.
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Hematoma
Hematoma may form in the breast after trauma or recent surgical intervention and is usually variable in sonographic appearance due to evolving nature of blood products with duration.[4] [5] Hematomas may be visualized as hypoechoic or echogenic masses, which shrink in size over time ([Fig. 6]). Biopsy is warranted in cases where the size is increasing, indicating a probable underlying malignant lesion.
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Galactocele
Galactoceles are known to form in the breast due to ductal obstruction in a lactating breast secondary to inflammation. They present as palpable masses during lactation or at a short interval after cessation of lactation, and represent cystic spaces filled with milk products. The mammographic as well as sonographic features depend on relative proportions of fat and proteinaceous contents within the galactocele and may appear entirely echogenic in some cases ([Fig. 7]).[4]
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Mastitis and Abscess
Mastitis is inflammation of the fat lobules within the breast, which appears echogenic on BUS ([Fig. 8]). The pattern of involvement may be diffuse and ill-defined or a relatively circumscribed region with hypoechoic or anechoic foci within which abscess formation ensues.[4] [5] On mammography, ill-defined area of increased density and skin thickening may be seen. Patients typically present with fever, pain, local erythema, and induration. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) may be indistinguishable from mastitis in its presentation exhibiting an ill-defined area of increased echogenicity without an obvious mass. Hence, a punch biopsy of the skin may need to be performed in nonresolving inflammatory lesions to determine the involvement of subdermal lymphatics (pathologic hallmark of IBC).[4] [9]
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00050590/202101/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0041-1729124_1_4419_08.jpg)
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Malignant Entities
Highly Cellular Lesions
Lymphoma
Lymphomatous affliction of the breast may be primary or secondary, with the non-Hodgkin’s variety occurring more frequently. On mammography, it may manifest as a well-circumscribed round or oval mass or ill-defined increase in breast density. It is more commonly seen as a hypoechoic and hypervascular solid mass on BUS; however, in up to a fourth of patients, it may have increased echogenicity owing to high cellularity ([Fig. 9]).[3] [5] [10] Mucinous and medullary cancers may also present as well-circumscribed hyperechoic masses, albeit without increase in vascularity.
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00050590/202101/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0041-1729124_1_4419_09.jpg)
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Metastases
Metastases to the breast from nonmammary primary malignancies are more commonly bilateral and even multiple as compared with primary breast malignancy, with a prevalence of 1.7 to 6.6%. The most common secondaries are from lymphomas/leukemias and melanomas.[11] Other tumors that metastasize to breast include lung and ovarian cancers.
On mammography, metastases are generally well-circumscribed with no spiculations or calcifications and commonly located in the upper outer quadrants.[3] [4] On BUS, the conventional picture is that of multiple bilateral hypoechoic solid masses ([Fig. 10]). Echogenic masses are seen in metastases from lymphoma or melanoma with typically increased internal vascularity; concurrent axillary lymphadenopathy more common in lymphomas is helpful in differentiating these from melanoma secondaries.
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00050590/202101/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0041-1729124_1_4419_10.jpg)
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Vascular
Angiosarcoma
Angiosarcomas, although rare, are highly aggressive neoplasms of the breast stroma arising from the endothelial cells lining the vascular channels. Primary angiosarcoma arises de novo, while secondary angiosarcoma arises in previously treated breast—more commonly post radiation therapy (usually after 5–10 years) and occasionally even in patients with lymphedema postsurgery. Up to a third of the patients may present with skin discoloration. On mammography, the lesion may be occult or may present as a mass or focal asymmetry. On BUS, a circumscribed hypervascular mass with heterogeneous echogenicity is commonly observed ([Fig. 11]).[3] [4] [5] A predominantly hyperechoic mass may be seen attributable to the presence of multiple abnormal anastomotic channels on histopathology.
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00050590/202101/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0041-1729124_1_4419_11.jpg)
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Fibrous/Highly Cellular
Invasive Carcinoma
Invasive ductal as well as lobular cancers may rarely be visualized as hyperechoic masses on ultrasound. However, the rest of the sonographic features, such as spiculated or irregular margins, nonparallel orientation, perilesional architectural distortion, and posterior shadowing, take precedence in assigning such masses to a malignant category rather than benign based solely on their echogenicity.[3] [4] [5]
In ductal cancers, hyperechoic appearance may be attributable to intratumoral heterogeneity or to the presence of a predominant echogenic periphery containing strands of collagen fibers and proliferating tumor cells around a small, nearly imperceptible hypoechoic center with sparse tumor cells and greater fibrosis.
Increased echogenicity of lobular cancers could be ascribed to the pathology responsible for its sometimes occult manifestation on mammography, i.e., diffuse infiltrative growth pattern. The rows of cells infiltrating into the surrounding parenchyma and around normal ducts create multiple reflective surfaces responsible for hyperechoic appearance on BUS ([Fig. 12]). Jones et al found 5% of the invasive lobular cancers to have an echogenic appearance on ultrasound.[12]
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00050590/202101/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0041-1729124_1_4419_12.jpg)
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Conclusion
It is essential that the hyperechoic breast lesions should be categorized based on the most worrisome ultrasound finding and be correlated with mammographic appearance, and biopsy should be performed for histologic evaluation, as necessary.
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Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Financial Support and Sponsorship
Nil.
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References
- 1 Mendelson EB, Bohm-Velez M, Berg WA. et al. ACR BI-RADS ® ultrasound. In: ACR BI-RADS ® Atlas, Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. Reston, VA, American College of Radiology 2013
- 2 Stavros AT, Thickman D, Rapp CL, Dennis MA, Parker SH, Sisney GA. Solid breast nodules: use of sonography to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions. Radiology 1995; 196 (01) 123-134
- 3 Linda A, Zuiani C, Lorenzon M. et al. The wide spectrum of hyperechoic lesions of the breast. Clin Radiol 2011; 66 (06) 559-565
- 4 Gao Y, Slanetz PJ, Eisenberg RL. Echogenic breast masses at US: to biopsy or not to biopsy?. Radiographics 2013; 33 (02) 419-434
- 5 Adrada B, Wu Y, Yang W. Hyperechoic lesions of the breast: radiologic-histopathologic correlation. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2013; 200 (05) W518-30
- 6 Linda A, Zuiani C, Lorenzon M. et al. Hyperechoic lesions of the breast: not always benign. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2011; 196 (05) 1219-1224
- 7 Nassar L, Issa G, Farah Z. El Zein Y, Berjawi G. Predictors of malignancy in hyperechoic breast lesions. J Ultrasound Med 2016; 35 (04) 783-790
- 8 Bhatia M, Ravikumar R, Maurya VK, Rai R. “Breast within a breast” sign: mammary hamartoma. Med J Armed Forces India 2015; 71 (04) 377-379
- 9 Yeh ED, Jacene HA, Bellon JR. et al. What radiologists need to know about diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory breast cancer: a multidisciplinary approach. Radiographics 2013; 33 (07) 2003-2017
- 10 Shim E, Song SE, Seo BK, Kim YS, Son GS. Lymphoma affecting the breast: a pictorial review of multimodal imaging findings. J Breast Cancer 2013; 16 (03) 254-265
- 11 Vaidya T, Ramani S, Rastogi A. A case series of metastases to the breast from extramammary malignancies. Indian J Radiol Imaging 2018; 28 (04) 470-475
- 12 Jones KN, Magut M, Henrichsen TL, Boughey JC, Reynolds C, Glazebrook KN. Pure lobular carcinoma of the breast presenting as a hyperechoic mass: incidence and imaging characteristics. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2013; 201 (05) W765-9
Address for correspondence
Publikationsverlauf
Artikel online veröffentlicht:
19. April 2021
© 2021. Indian Radiological Association. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
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References
- 1 Mendelson EB, Bohm-Velez M, Berg WA. et al. ACR BI-RADS ® ultrasound. In: ACR BI-RADS ® Atlas, Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. Reston, VA, American College of Radiology 2013
- 2 Stavros AT, Thickman D, Rapp CL, Dennis MA, Parker SH, Sisney GA. Solid breast nodules: use of sonography to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions. Radiology 1995; 196 (01) 123-134
- 3 Linda A, Zuiani C, Lorenzon M. et al. The wide spectrum of hyperechoic lesions of the breast. Clin Radiol 2011; 66 (06) 559-565
- 4 Gao Y, Slanetz PJ, Eisenberg RL. Echogenic breast masses at US: to biopsy or not to biopsy?. Radiographics 2013; 33 (02) 419-434
- 5 Adrada B, Wu Y, Yang W. Hyperechoic lesions of the breast: radiologic-histopathologic correlation. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2013; 200 (05) W518-30
- 6 Linda A, Zuiani C, Lorenzon M. et al. Hyperechoic lesions of the breast: not always benign. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2011; 196 (05) 1219-1224
- 7 Nassar L, Issa G, Farah Z. El Zein Y, Berjawi G. Predictors of malignancy in hyperechoic breast lesions. J Ultrasound Med 2016; 35 (04) 783-790
- 8 Bhatia M, Ravikumar R, Maurya VK, Rai R. “Breast within a breast” sign: mammary hamartoma. Med J Armed Forces India 2015; 71 (04) 377-379
- 9 Yeh ED, Jacene HA, Bellon JR. et al. What radiologists need to know about diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory breast cancer: a multidisciplinary approach. Radiographics 2013; 33 (07) 2003-2017
- 10 Shim E, Song SE, Seo BK, Kim YS, Son GS. Lymphoma affecting the breast: a pictorial review of multimodal imaging findings. J Breast Cancer 2013; 16 (03) 254-265
- 11 Vaidya T, Ramani S, Rastogi A. A case series of metastases to the breast from extramammary malignancies. Indian J Radiol Imaging 2018; 28 (04) 470-475
- 12 Jones KN, Magut M, Henrichsen TL, Boughey JC, Reynolds C, Glazebrook KN. Pure lobular carcinoma of the breast presenting as a hyperechoic mass: incidence and imaging characteristics. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2013; 201 (05) W765-9
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