Ultrasound Characteristics of Axillary Lymph Nodes

Rodrigo Arrangoiz MS, MD, FACS, FSSO
  • The sonographic appearance of a normal lymph node:
    • Is elliptical with a thin, hypoechoic cortex and an isoechoic to hyperechoic fatty hilum (Image).
Normal lymph node.
  • Metastatic carcinoma in a lymph node:
    • Would usually have an asymmetric thick cortex or have near-total or total obliteration of the hilum:
      • Resulting in a rounded, hypoechoic mass (Image)
Node with metastatic carcinoma.
  • Axillary adenopathy can occur in association with rheumatoid arthritis:
    • But the sonographic findings would usually be a symmetrical, mild thickening of the cortex:
      • Usually with preservation of the hilum
  • Silicone granulomas:
    • Classically create a snowstorm appearance:
      • Which allows a definitive diagnosis by ultrasound alone
Silicone Granuloma
  • The mass in the image has a rounded anterior border and “dirty” incoherent shadowing that obscures the posterior border of the lesion:
    • Nothing other than silicone can cause this sonographic appearance:
      • But it is difficult to distinguish free silicone that has migrated to the axilla from a node that has been replaced with silicone
    • In different stages of development, silicone extravasation can also mimic complex cysts or fibrotic nodules:
      • Depending on the amount of silicone extravasated and the amount of time from extravasation
    • If a large amount of silicone is released into the tissue:
      • The ultrasound pattern is that of a complex cyst
    • Silicone’s presence in tissues can cause a local inflammatory reaction:
      • Which may cause tissue fibrosis and a fibrotic nodule:
        • This is a late finding seen following extravasation
  • References
    • Berg WA, Caskey CI, Hamper UM, Anderson ND, Chang BW, Sheth S, et al. Diagnosing breast implant rupture with MR imaging, US, and mammography. Radiographics. 1993;13(6):1323-1336.
    • Juanpere S, Perez E, Huc O, Motos N, Pont J, Pedraza S. Imaging of breast implants‒a pictorial review. Insights Imaging. 2011;2(6):653-670.
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Published by Rodrigo Arrangoiz MS, MD, FACS, FSSO

My name is Rodrigo Arrangoiz I am a breast surgeon/ thyroid surgeon / parathyroid surgeon / head and neck surgeon / surgical oncologist that works at Center for Advanced Surgical Oncology in Miami, Florida. I was trained as a surgeon at Michigan State University from (2005 to 2010) where I was a chief resident in 2010. My surgical oncology and head and neck training was performed at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia from 2010 to 2012. At the same time I underwent a masters in science (Clinical research for health professionals) at the University of Drexel. Through the International Federation of Head and Neck Societies / Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center I performed a two year head and neck surgery and oncology / endocrine fellowship that ended in 2016. Mi nombre es Rodrigo Arrangoiz, soy cirujano oncólogo / cirujano de tumores de cabeza y cuello / cirujano endocrino que trabaja Center for Advanced Surgical Oncology en Miami, Florida. Fui entrenado como cirujano en Michigan State University (2005 a 2010 ) donde fui jefe de residentes en 2010. Mi formación en oncología quirúrgica y e n tumores de cabeza y cuello se realizó en el Fox Chase Cancer Center en Filadelfia de 2010 a 2012. Al mismo tiempo, me sometí a una maestría en ciencias (investigación clínica para profesionales de la salud) en la Universidad de Drexel. A través de la Federación Internacional de Sociedades de Cabeza y Cuello / Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center realicé una sub especialidad en cirugía de cabeza y cuello / cirugia endocrina de dos años que terminó en 2016.

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