An image-rich educational review of breast pain

Authors

Anthony H. Bui, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
Gretchen J. Smith, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
Sara W. Dyrstad, Texas Breast Specialists-Amarillo, Amarillo, TX, USA.
Kathryn A. Robinson, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Cheryl R. Herman, SSM Health, Bridgeton, MO, USA.
Nicci Owusu-Brackett, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
Amy M. Fowler, Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.

Recommended Citation

Bui AH, Smith GJ, Dyrstad SW, et al. An Image-Rich Educational Review of Breast Pain. J Breast Imaging. 2024;6(3):311-326. doi:10.1093/jbi/wbae001

Affiliations

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Abstract

Breast pain is extremely common, occurring in 70% to 80% of women. Most cases of breast pain are from physiologic or benign causes, and patients should be reassured and offered treatment strategies to alleviate symptoms, often without diagnostic imaging. A complete clinical history and physical examination is key for distinguishing intrinsic breast pain from extramammary pain. Breast pain without other suspicious symptoms and with a negative history and physical examination result is rarely associated with malignancy, although it is a common reason for women to undergo diagnostic imaging. When breast imaging is indicated, guidelines according to the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria should be followed as to whether mammography, US, or both are recommended. This review article summarizes the initial clinical evaluation of breast pain and evidence-based guidelines for imaging. Additionally, the article reviews cyclical and noncyclical breast pain and provides an image-rich discussion of the imaging presentation and management of benign and malignant breast pain etiologies.

Document Type

Article

PubMed ID

38538078