Mammographic and ultrasonographic features after autogenous myocutaneous flap reconstruction mammoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To present mammographic and ultrasonographic findings in various types of reconstruction using an autogenous myocutaneous flap after mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery.
METHODS: Mammography and ultrasonography performed in patients who had undergone reconstruction mammoplasty using the autogenous myocutaneous flap procedure were reviewed to facilitate recognition of both normal and abnormal postoperative appearances of the various types of reconstruction using the autogenous myocutaneous flap after mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery.
RESULTS: Normal mammographic and ultrasonographic findings include predominance of a fatty appearance, surgical clips, and surgical scars. Abnormal mammographic and ultrasonographic findings include fat necrosis, calcifications, and locally recurrent carcinoma. Ultrasonographic findings of fat necrosis were cystic, complex, and solid-appearing masses with circumscribed or poorly defined margins in peripheral portions of the flap. Ultrasonographic findings of locally recurrent carcinoma were poorly defined heterogeneous hypoechoic lesions in reconstructed breast, similar to those of primary breast cancer.
CONCLUSIONS: Breast reconstruction using the autogenous myocutaneous flap has increased in popularity with various methods. Mammography and ultrasonography facilitated excellent visualization of normal and abnormal findings of various reconstructed breasts with the autogenous myocutaneous flap.