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A member asked:
Can a dilated duct be confused as a breast mass on ultrasound? i'm nursing. also, do dilated ducts compress when pressed?
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
It is possible: Ducts are tubes, which should look like a hose with us, while a mass has a different shape, so they are not often confused. You can have a mass grow in a duct. The presence of milk in a very dilated duct will cause echoes on the us and might be misinterpreted as a mass. Ducts, unless extremely dilated, should be compressible. Please see your provider and consider a breast surgeon consult.
Answered 11/2/2015
5.1k views
That would: be very unusual. Ducts are tubular and filled with fluid(easily seen on US when dilated). Masses are irregular, round, or oval. Masses can arise in ducts, however, so a duct could contain a mass within it. Ducts may compress if there is somewhere for the duct contents to go. For example, if the duct is not occluded, compressing it may cause expression of fluid from the nipple.
Answered 5/2/2015
2.9k views
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