THE MUSCULUS STERNALIS: ULTRASONOGRAPHIC VERIFICATION OF A RARE BUT BENIGN MAMMOGRAPHIC FINDING

Screening mammography requires high-quality images and experienced radiologists. An improved technique with a systematic approach to patient positioning enables visualization of the deep parts of the breast. The sternalis muscle is occasionally observed in mammograms as a variant of the deep normal...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ersen Alp Özbalcı, Feray Özgür Saraçoğlu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Galenos Publishing House 2013-07-01
Series:European Journal of Breast Health
Subjects:
Online Access: http://www.eurjbreasthealth.com/archives/archive-detail/article-preview/the-musculus-sternals-ultrasonographc-verfcaton-of/42333
Description
Summary:Screening mammography requires high-quality images and experienced radiologists. An improved technique with a systematic approach to patient positioning enables visualization of the deep parts of the breast. The sternalis muscle is occasionally observed in mammograms as a variant of the deep normal structures and may mimic a mass. The sternalis muscle is an uncommon anatomic variant of the chest wall musculature. It is located subcutaneously over the pectoralis muscle and has a parallel course to the sternum. It runs from the infraclavicular area to the caudal aspect of the breast. This inconsistent muscle has varying shapes, contours and sizes and may mimic a mass lesion on the craniocaudal (CC) mammogram. Familiarity with its mammographic appearance and ultrasonographic correlation is essential to avoid confusion with a malignant lesion. In this case report, we describe mammographic and ultrasonographic imaging findings of the sternalis muscle and review the literature.
ISSN:2587-0831