Imaging Findings of Palpable Benign Masses in the Axilla

ABSTRACT

The most common pathologic conditions in the axilla are the diseases related to lymph nodes, of which the most serious condition is a malignant lesion such as the metastatic lymphadenopathy or lymphoma. However, various benign conditions in the axilla have been reported and some of them show characteristic imaging findings which allow presumptive diagnosis to be made without invasive procedures. We review various conditions of benign axillary mass and illustrate typical findings in this essay. Sonography can evaluate the axillary area easily and immediately performed sonography-guided core needle biopsy is also useful when the axillary mass does not have typical benign features.