To investigate the ultrasonographic features of fibrocystic breast change (FBC) and improve the ultrasonographic diagnosis and differential diagnosis of FBC.

Fifty-five patients of FBC with 60 lesions and 39 patients of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) with 42 lesions, which were confirmed by pathology after operation in the Affiliated Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2014 to February 2019 were enrolled. The preoperative sonographic findings of FBC and IDC were retrospectively analyzed and compared.

There was no significant difference between the two groups in the rates of showing irregular shape, which were 86.7% in FBC group and 88.1% in IDC group, respectively (P>0.05), but the rate of showing crab feet or burrs on the edge of lesions in FBC group was lower than that in IDC group(P<0.05). The occurrence rates of posterior echo enhancement and cystic degeneration in FBC group were 81.7% and 71.7% respectively, which were significantly higher than those in IDC group (38.1% and 16.7%)(P<0.001). In addition, the FBC group showed fewer features such as hyperechoic halo and more features such as hypovascular supply than that of IDC group (all P<0.001).

In terms of ultrasonic features, including irregular shape or even crab feet and burrs, FBC can be easily misdiagnosed as malignant tumors. However, posterior echo enhancement, interior scattered small cysts, lack of blood supply and rare hyperechoic halo may be the characteristics of FBC, which can be differentiated from malignant tumors.

Ultrasonography; Fibrocystic breast change; Invasive ductal carcinoma