Radiology

Case: Axillary Lymphadenopathy

By Daniella Boros MD, and Manchandia Tejas MD

Introduction

Axillary lymphadenopathy can be caused by benign and malignant processes. In breast imaging, it important to distinguish normal lymph nodes from abnormal lymph nodes which often warrant additional workup.

Axillary Lymphadenopathy

Case: Axillary Lymphadenopathy Figure 1
Figure 1. MLO view demonstrating benign axillary lymph nodes with radiolucent hilar notch (arrow).

The axilla is partially imaging during mammography and axillary lymph nodes are commonly seen. Evaluation of lymph nodes on mammography involves assessment of laterality and lymph node morphology. Benign axillary lymph nodes (figure 1) are oval in shape, typically measuring less than 2 cm, with a preserved fatty hilum which appears as radiolucent notch on mammogram. Increased lymph node size or density can be abnormal, requiring additional evaluation1. In the case of abnormal lymphadenopathy, attention should be made to whether the lymph nodes are unilateral or bilateral as this can help narrow the differential diagnosis1,2.

Case: Axillary Lymphadenopathy Figure 2
Figure 2. Ultrasound showing benign left axillary lymph node with cortical thickness less than 3mm and preserved fatty hilum.

Ultrasound is the best modality for characterizing lymph nodes allowing for evaluation of shape, cortical thickness and presence or absence of fatty hilum. On ultrasound, normal axillary lymph nodes have an oval or lobulated shape with a preserved fatty hilum and cortical thickness less than 3 mm (figure 2). The echogenic hilum has arterial flow which can be assessed using color doppler imaging.

Features concerning for malignancy include round shape, increased cortical thickness and loss of fatty hilum1. The relationship of the lymph node cortex to hilum can be used to classify lymph node morphology and likelihood of malignancy. As the cortical thickness increases, there are reciprocal changes in the hilum beginning with hilar effacement and progressing to absence or replacement of the lymph node hilum2,3. Cortical thickening (figure 3) is considered the earliest morphologic change associated with malignancy; however, this finding is nonspecific with a low positive predictive value1-3. Absent/replaced hilum (figure 4) is the most specific for malignancy with a positive predictive value of 58-97%2.

Case: Axillary Lymphadenopathy Figure 3
Figure 3. Right axillary lymph node with increased cortical thickness measuring 6 mm. Follow up ultrasound in 6 months recommended.
Case: Axillary Lymphadenopathy Figure 4
Figure 4. Enlarged right axillary lymph node with loss of fatty hilum. Biopsy recommended.

The differential for abnormal axillary lymph nodes is divided into benign and malignant causes. Benign causes include reactive hyperplasia (i.e, skin or breast abscess, mastitis), autoimmune disease (i.e., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematous), HIV or granulomatous disease (tuberculosis, sarcoidosis). Lymphadenopathy associated with systemic processes is typically bilateral and symmetric1,2. Reactive lymphadenopathy can be unilateral/asymmetric in the setting of infection or recent vaccination3. Malignant cases of axillary lymphadenopathy include lymphoma/leukemia and metastatic disease. Bilateral and symmetric lymph node abnormalities are concerning for lymphoproliferative disorders such as leukemia/lymphoma. Unilateral lymphadenopathy raises suspicion for malignancy such as a primary breast cancer1,2,4.

Management of abnormal lymph nodes involves clinical correlation and additional evaluation. According to BIRADS, unilateral lymphadenopathy in the absence of infection/inflammatory causes is considered suspicious (BIRADS category 4). Evaluation of the ipsilateral breast should be performed to exclude a breast malignancy. Additionally, bilateral axillary ultrasound should be performed to confirm laterality. These findings should be correlated with clinical history and if lymphadenopathy is still unexplained, a biopsy should be performed. If a benign cause is identified, such as a skin lesion or breast abscess, a BIRADS category 2 (benign) is appropriate. Evaluation of bilateral lymphadenopathy follows a similar process. Bilateral axillary lymphadenopathy due to infectious/inflammatory conditions is assessed as a BIRADS category 2 (benign). In the case of malignant causes, BIRADS should be assigned according to the finding in the breast themselves. For example, if after review of clinical history, lymphadenopathy is determined to be due to known history of lymphoma, lymphadenopathy would be assessed as a category 2 (benign) as it relates to the breast. If lymphadenopathy is unexplained by clinical history, a biopsy should be performed (BIRADS category 4)4.

Case Examples

The following cases provide examples of axillary lymphadenopathy identified on screening mammography.

Figure 5, a-c.

Case: Axillary Lymphadenopathy Figure 5
Figure 5: 61-year-old female with history of right ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) status post lumpectomy called back on screening mammogram for prominent lymph nodes bilaterally. Diagnostic mammogram demonstrates post-surgical changes in the right breast and biopsy marker in the left breast. There is bilateral axillary adenopathy (figure 5 a, b). Axillary ultrasound was performed which showed bilateral enlarged lymph nodes. Enlarged right axillary lymph node with cortical thickness measuring 6mm is shown (figure 5c). This correlates with known history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and was subsequently assigned BIRADS 2.

Figure 6, a-e.

Case: Axillary Lymphadenopathy Figure 6
Figure 6: 61-year-old female with no significant past medical history called back from screening mammogram for prominent right axillary lymph nodes (figure 6a, red circle). Bilateral axillary ultrasound was performed showing enlarged lymph nodes with increased cortical thickness (figure 6c) and replaced fatty hilum (figure 6d). No abnormal lymph nodes in the left axilla were identified (figure 6e). Lymph node biopsy was recommended for BIRADS category 4B. Biopsy results are pending.

Conclusion

Axillary lymphadenopathy is commonly encountered in breast imaging and can be associated with benign and malignant causes. Axillary lymph nodes are characterized according to morphology which includes cortical thickness and presence or absence of fatty hilum. Imaging characterization and clinical correlation is important to ensure appropriate diagnostic workup of axillary lymph nodes.

References

  1. Dialani V, James DF, Slanetz PJ. "A Practical Approach to Imaging the Axilla." Insights Imaging. 2015 Apr;6(2):217-29. DOI: 10.1007/s13244-014-0367-8(Link is external) (Link opens in new window). Epub 2014 Dec 23.PMID: 25534139 
  2. Chung, H. L., Le-Petross, H. T., & Leung, J. W. (2021). "Imaging Updates to Breast Cancer Lymph Node Management." RadioGraphics, 2021 Sep-Oct;41(5):1283-1299. DOI: 10.1148/rg.2021210053(Link is external) (Link opens in new window).
  3. Zhang, M., Ahn, R. W., Hayes, J. C., Seiler, S. J., Mootz, A. R., & Porembka, J. H. "Axillary lymphadenopathy in the COVID-19 ERA: What the Radiologist Needs to Know." RadioGraphics. 2022 Nov-Dec;42(7):1897-1911. DOI: 10.1148/rg.220045(Link is external) (Link opens in new window). Epub 2022 Aug 26.PMID: 36018786
  4. D. Frequently Asked Questions - American College of Radiology. ACR BI-RADS® ATLAS — MAMMOGRAPHY. (n.d.). https://www.acr.org/-/media/ACR/Files/RADS/BI-RADS/Mammography-FAQ.pdf(Link downloads document) (Link opens in new window). Accessed 18 Aug 2023.