A new radiological approach to cyclic mastalgia: venous doppler ultrasound.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of the venous system in cyclical mastalgia.


METHODS
25 healthy women and 39 women with cyclic mastalgia underwent venous Doppler examination in both pre- and postmenstrual period. Upper-outer quadrant veins of breast were evaluated. The impedance indices of both groups were compared in both the premenstrual and postmenstrual period.


RESULTS
During the premenstrual period, venous impedance indices were significantly higher in the patients with cyclic mastalgia (p=0.004) than in the control group. After the menstrual period, there was no difference in venous impedance indices between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Excessive tissue oedema might be responsible for both a tension-mediated pain and a compression of the venous system thereby showing higher impedance than that in control group.
Yakut
Zeynep Ilerisoy
ZI
Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Fatih University, Cankaya Hospital, Yukariayranci/Ankara, Turkey.
Kafali
Hasan
H
Karaoglanoglu
Mustafa
M
Köktener
Asli
A
Duvan
Candan Iltemir
CI
D000328:Adult; D001940:Breast / Q000098:blood supply*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014465:Ultrasonics; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary; D014680:Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*