Special patient situations

Question 1

pectus excavatum

Answer 1

-depressed sternum
-exclusion of medial tissue on CC & MLO
-do XCCM and LM

Question 2

pectus carinatum

Answer 2

-protruding sternum
-exclusion of medial & lateral tissue on CC & MLO
-supplement AT or MLO of excluded tissue

Question 3

Male mammography challenges

Answer 3

-chest hair and too much pectoral muscle
-CC: missed superior tissue and posterior tissue

Question 4

protruding abdomen challenges

Answer 4

-CC & MLO tissue exclusion may occur, posterior and inferior- body habitus

Question 5

large breast challenges

Answer 5

-excluded tissue, uneven compression, drooping (camel’s nose), skin folds

Question 6

extremely small breast challenges

Answer 6

-tissue slips out from under compression paddle, superior tissue missed
-may need to set manual technique

Question 7

lactating breast challenge

Answer 7

-breast will be engorged due to milk production, lobular and ductal dilation

Question 8

imaging patients’ implanted device challenge

Answer 8

-optimal compression across whole breast