Ultrasound of Mammary Glands and Thyroid Gland in the Medical Center «КардіоMAX»

Ultrasound of the mammary glands in women is a safe, affordable and highly informative method for examining the breast, used both for a preventive examination and in order to identify various diseases of the mammary glands in the presence of relevant complaints.
The study allows you to assess the size, structure of tissues (the predominance of the glandular or fatty component), the presence of pathological formations in the mammary gland (cysts, tumors) or in the skin in the chest area.

Ultrasound of the mammary glands does not require special preliminary preparation. For a more objective assessment of the condition of the breast (to identify signs of mastopathy), it is recommended to conduct a study 4-8 days from the onset of menstruation. However, if you are concerned about pain, the presence of palpable formations in the tissues of the breast or in the axillary regions, an ultrasound examination is performed on any day of the cycle without reducing the diagnostic value of this examination. If a woman is taking hormonal contraceptives or is already in menopause, the time of the procedure does not matter either.

It is recommended to undergo an ultrasound scan of the mammary glands once a year for women over 18 years of age.

Indications for ultrasound of the mammary glands

• Any chest complaints (soreness, engorgement, discomfort, nipple discharge).
• Visible changes in the shape, size, contours, and skin of the breast, which were not previously observed.
• Diagnostics of the condition of the breast in pregnant women, during lactation, as well as when planning pregnancy.
• Diagnostics of cysts, tumors and any other benign or malignant neoplasms that were identified on their own, during a doctor's examination or during other studies (chest x-ray, mammography).
• Assessment of the condition of the breast after injury or during an inflammatory process (mastitis).
• Swollen lymph nodes (axillary, supraclavicular and subclavian).
• Assessment of the condition of silicone prostheses after breast augmentation surgery.
• Monitoring the effectiveness of treatment of dyshormonal diseases of the mammary glands (diffuse forms of mastopathy).

Ultrasound of the mammary glands in men is prescribed if there is a suspicion of the development of gynecomastia. This is a disease of the mammary gland in men, progressing against the background of hypertrophy of adipose and glandular tissues. Pathological changes in the gland cause characteristic symptoms: induration, swelling, a feeling of heaviness and discomfort in the chest. Gynecomastia often regresses on its own, without special treatment. Rarely, but it happens that the disease causes the formation of a malignant tumor in the mammary gland. Therefore, in the presence of suspicious symptoms, it is necessary to make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible and undergo an ultrasound of the mammary glands in men, the protocol of which will become the basis for a specialist to determine a further plan of action.

Why does gynecomastia occur?

Gynecomastia is a disease of the mammary glands in men, accompanied by their increase in size, severe pain and discomfort. Pathology develops against the background of hypertrophy of adipose and glandular tissue. There are 2 types of gynecomastia: false or true.
The main cause of false gynecomastia is obesity, in which fat deposits actively accumulate in the breast tissue. True gynecomastia develops as a result of hormonal disruption, in which female hormones - estrogens - are produced in excess in the male body.

Factors provoking the development of true gynecomastia:

• Addison's disease.
• Development of a hormone-active tumor.
• Prostate adenoma.
• Inflammatory processes in the testicles.
• Pituitary tumors and hypothyroidism, which contribute to the active production of the hormone prolactin.
• Diffuse toxic goiter.
• Diabetes.
• Obesity.
• Pulmonary tuberculosis.
• The trigger mechanism for the development of benign breast hyperplasia in men can be diseases of a non-endocrine nature: liver cirrhosis, renal, cardiovascular failure, human immunodeficiency virus, herpes infection.

Gynecomastia is often diagnosed in men who are actively involved in sports. The disease occurs as a result of the uncontrolled use of steroid drugs often used by athletes to build muscle mass. Abuse of illegal substances and alcohol can also provoke hypertrophy of the male breast.

Why is gynecomastia dangerous?

In most cases, the disease does not cause discomfort in a man and regresses on its own without special treatment. However, the prolonged existence of the disease and the absence of therapy in the presence of pathological symptoms can lead to malignant degeneration of tissues. Breast cancer in men is rarely diagnosed, but it often leads to the same dangerous consequences as breast cancer in women.

It is necessary to sign up for a consultation with a doctor and undergo an ultrasound of the mammary gland for men who have such pathological symptoms:

• Hard lumps and nodules in the chest.
• Bloody discharge from the nipples.
• Inflammation of the axillary lymph nodes.
• Ulcers on the skin of the chest.

With the help of ultrasound diagnostics, the doctor will be able to determine the stage of the disease. The disease has 3 stages of development:

• At the initial stage, pathological symptoms may be completely absent, with the exception of an increase in the size of the mammary gland. Treatment is conservative, the pathological process is completely reversible.
• The second stage is characterized by the maturation of abnormal breast tissue. Regression of the disease at this stage of development is unlikely.
• The third stage is characterized by the appearance in the mammary gland of large areas of fibrous tissue, the deposition of adipose tissue around the glandular.
• At the last stage, surgical treatment is performed.

Pathological changes in the gland

Ultrasound diagnostics of the mammary gland in men will help identify:

• Gynecomastia. Against the background of breast adipose tissue, dark areas of high density are visualized, with uneven borders.
• Dilation of the ducts of the breast. Indicates the progression of the infectious process. The presence of an inflammatory complication is indicated by dilated ducts, which normally should be no more than 1-2 mm.
• Cysts and nodes of different sizes. Tumor changes are local and diffuse. On ultrasound, they look like darkened areas with even or uneven boundaries. The cyst capsule is filled with serous contents. The outlines of the nodes are also clear, but their color is light, sometimes completely white.
• Cancer tumors. A neoplasm of a dark color, heterogeneous structure, with uneven borders and a torn contour.
• Adenoma and fibroadenoma. Light dense foci of a rounded shape, with clear boundaries.
• Inflammation of tissues. Areas where the inflammatory process progresses have a homogeneous structure, a light shade.