Ultrasonography as a Tool in Assessment of Breast Pain among Women

Background: Breast pain or mastalgia is a common breast symptom in women after breast lump. The increase in awareness of breast cancer and the possibility that a breast pain may be associated with underlying breast disease prompt women to seek medical attention. Ultrasound is a valuable imaging modality in evaluation of breast pain and breast diseases in general.

Objectives: To determine the role of ultrasound and the outcome of breast ultrasound among women with breast pain.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 87 women who were referred for ultrasound scan on account of breast pain from July 2015 - December 2016 at radiology department of UATH. A high frequency linear transducer 7.5 MHz of EMP G70 ultrasound machine manufactured by Shenzhen Emperor Electronic Technology®, China 2011 was used in scanning the breast.

Results: The mean age of study population was 32±15years with age range of 16 and 69 years. Majority of the patients were in the age group 30-39 years representing 54.0%. 32(36.8%) of women with breast pain had abnormal ultrasound findings. Sonographic findings included mass 13 (14.9%), cyst 10 (11.5%), ductal dilation 4(4.6%), calcification 3(3.5%), architectural distortion 2(2.3%). BIRADS 1 (normal/negative) was the commonest category seen in 55(63.2%) of patients, 21(24.1%) were benign (BIRADS 2), 6(6.4%) were probably benign (BIRADS 3), 3(3.4%) were suspicious BIRADS 4 and 2(2.3%) were highly suggestive of malignancy BIRADS 5. There was positive correlation between ultrasound findings with age This was however not statistically significant (P=0.67). There was positive correlation between abnormal ultrasound findings with type of pain (P=0.08), location of pain (P=0.63), contraception (P=0.39), and family history of breast cancer (P=0.11). However, this was not statistically significant

Conclusion: Evaluation of breast pain in a woman is very essentially not only to alleviate her fears but also to detect any abnormalities which may require treatment medically or surgically. Ultrasound is an important imaging tool in evaluating women with breast pain.