Lymph node staging in patients with invasive breast cancer and preoperative imaging of the axilla plays are essential for preoperative staging. Unlike many other areas of the body, it is the node morphology rather than size that is most revealing. Ultrasound not only allows visualization of nodes but also enables image guided biopsy. Accurate identification of axillary adenopathy can prevent unnecessary sentinel lymph node biopsy.

In this episode, Wei T. Yang reviews various imaging techniques and features for optimal management.

For more on this topic, read this article from February's issue of AJR: https://www.ajronline.org/doi/abs/10.2214/AJR.19.22022