PURPOSE/AIM To describe a systematic protocol for the sonographic assessment of lymph nodes in the axillary and internal mammary regions, review characteristics of normal lymph node morphology, provide a step-wise technical description... more
PURPOSE/AIM To describe a systematic protocol for the sonographic assessment of lymph nodes in the axillary and internal mammary regions, review characteristics of normal lymph node morphology, provide a step-wise technical description for biopsy of abnormal nodes, and discuss potential complications and benefits of ultrasound guided lymph node biopsy. CONTENT ORGANIZATION 1. Overview of anatomy and pathophysiology 2. Indications for sonographic assessment of axillary and internal mammary regions. 3. How to image these regions with ultrasound. 4. Review of criteria for normal lymph node morphology 5. How to core biopsy axillary nodes and aspirate internal mammary nodes, including images of sampled nodes with pathologic correlates. 6. Potential complications. 7. Potential benefits. SUMMARY Ultrasound is presented as a practical and effective means for assessing axillary and internal mammary lymph nodes, and for sampling those which appear abnormal. The indications for sonographic ass...
