Which finding is not typically associated with abnormal lymph nodes on breast ultrasound?

Which finding is not typically associated with abnormal lymph nodes on breast ultrasound?

• A. Enlargement
• B. Irregular and/or inhomogeneous cortex
• C. Loss of definition of the fatty hilum
• D. Smooth cortex

Answer: (D)

Breast ultrasound uses the appearance of the node’s cortex and hilum to distinguish benign from suspicious nodes. When a node is abnormal, you often see cortical thickening or irregularity, and the fatty hilum becomes less defined or may disappear as the node is infiltrated. Enlarged size can accompany abnormal nodes, but by itself isn’t definitive. A smooth, unaltered cortex, with a preserved fatty hilum, is more typical of benign or reactive nodes. Therefore, a smooth cortex is not typically associated with abnormal lymph nodes on breast ultrasound.

Breast ultrasound uses the appearance of the node’s cortex and hilum to distinguish benign from suspicious nodes. When a node is abnormal, you often see cortical thickening or irregularity, and the fatty hilum becomes less defined or may disappear as the node is infiltrated. Enlarged size can accompany abnormal nodes, but by itself isn’t definitive. A smooth, unaltered cortex, with a preserved fatty hilum, is more typical of benign or reactive nodes. Therefore, a smooth cortex is not typically associated with abnormal lymph nodes on breast ultrasound.