ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Breast Imaging of Pregnant and Lactating Women

Publication date: November 2018Source: Journal of the American College of Radiology, Volume 15, Issue 11, SupplementAuthor(s): Expert Panel on Breast Imaging:, Roberta M. diFlorio-Alexander, Priscilla J. Slanetz, Linda Moy, Paul Baron, Aarati D. Didwania, Samantha L. Heller, Anna I. Holbrook, Alana A. Lewin, Ana P. Lourenco, Tejas S. Mehta, Bethany L. Niell, Ashley R. Stuckey, Daymen S. Tuscano, Nina S. Vincoff, Susan P. Weinstein, Mary S. NewellAbstractBreast imaging during pregnancy and lactation is challenging due to unique physiologic and structural breast changes that increase the difficulty of clinical and radiological evaluation. Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is increasing as more women delay child bearing into the fourth decade of life, and imaging of clinical symptoms should not be delayed. PABC may present as a palpable lump, nipple discharge, diffuse breast enlargement, focal pain, or milk rejection. Breast imaging during lactation is very similar to breast imaging in women who are not breast feeding. However, breast imaging during pregnancy is modified to balance both maternal and fetal well-being; and there is a limited role for advanced breast imaging techniques in pregnant women. Mammography is safe during pregnancy and breast cancer screening should be tailored to patient age and breast cancer risk. Diagnostic breast imaging during pregnancy should be obtained to evaluate clinical symptoms and for loco-regional staging of newly diagnosed PABC.The A...
Source: Journal of the American College of Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: research