ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DEMONSTRATION OF NORMAL AXILLARY LYMPH-NODES - A LEARNING-CURVE

High frequency transducers with near field resolution allow visualizat ion of superficial structures in the axilla, such as the lymph nodes, which could not be visualized with older equipment. We have been able to observe normal axillary nodes in 61.5% of 26 women who had histolog ic correlation of normal lymph nodes at axillary dissection. We studie d 663 women with a clinically palpable breast lump using breast and ax illary ultrasonography. They were divided into four groups. The first group consisted of all women who had undergone surgery and had histolo gic correlation of axillary nodes. The second, third, and fourth group s were made up of three consecutive series of 221 women examined. Wome n from group one were included in groups two, three, and four. A steep learning curve of 7.1 to 41.9 to 64.7% was observed in the detection of normal axillary nodes, suggesting that these appearances can be rec ognized easily.