Color Doppler imaging of fibroadenomas of the breast with histopathologic correlation.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to characterize the spatial distribution of blood vessels in breast fibroadenomas.


METHODS
We performed a prospective study to map the anatomic distribution of the vessels in 29 fibroadenomas of the breast using color Doppler sonography. We categorized the detected vessels according to their location in or on the fibroadenoma, counted the different types of vessels, and tested for correlations between vessel distributions or numbers and histopathologic findings.


RESULTS
Blood flow was demonstrated in 24/29 (83%) of fibroadenomas. We found 3 vessel types: feeding vessels, which are prominent vessels leading from the surrounding breast tissue into the fibroadenoma; capsular vessels, which are located within the tissue capsule; and segmental vessels, which are located within the fibrous septa of the fibroadenoma. Capsular and segmental vessels were demonstrated in 23/24 (96%) and 24/24 (100%) of the cases, respectively. Feeding vessels were seen in 12/24 (50%) of the cases. Histopathologic analysis revealed the same location and distribution of the vessels as color Doppler imaging. However, there was no correlation between numbers of vessels counted on sonograms and on histopathologic specimens.


CONCLUSIONS
Examination of the vascularity demonstrated on color Doppler imaging helps in the diagnosis of benign breast neoplasms such as fibroadenomas.
Rachel Nash Comprehensive Breast Center, Bet Ofer, 5 Nachum Heftzadi St., Jerusalem, 95484, Israel.
Selwyn
S
Strano
Eva C
EC
Gombos
Orith
O
Friedland
Marta
M
Mozes
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D018226:Fibroadenoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color