Imaging of Pathognomonic Findings of Benign Breast Lesions

Abstract

Pathognomonic findings are those that can elicit a correct diagnosis from their characteristic appearance. In medical imaging there are a few such findings, but even fewer in breast imaging. It is very important to know the pathognomonic findings as “Aunt Minnie,” recognizable as one's own relative, because they have no differential diagnostic considerations. To identify and assign a lesion that is characteristically benign as BI-RADS final category 2 by any imaging modality provides reassurance to the patient and referring physician and spares the patient anxiety, discomfort, and cost of additional unnecessary diagnostic evaluation or biopsy.1 This article reviews pathognomonic imaging findings of benign breast lesions and their clinical implications.