Incidental Breast Lesions on Chest CT With Ultrasound and Mammographic Correlation

Abstract

Use of CT continues to increase steadily with shorter image-acquisition times and improving image quality. CT of the chest frequently is ordered for evaluation of the pulmonary or cardiac system. As with any modality, nontarget tissues often are imaged along with the tissues in question. In chest CT, the breast tissue is included in the field of view. It is not uncommon to find incidental breast lesions on chest CT; and, therefore, it is imperative that all the tissues included in the images are evaluated carefully. CT is not a diagnostic modality for an incidental breast lesion; nonetheless, CT may be the initial modality of detection. The role of this article is to show examples of common breast pathology encountered while interpreting routine chest CT and to demonstrate their mammographic and ultrasound correlates., Copyright (C) 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.