Imaging-pathologic correlation of diseases in the axilla

OBJECTIVE. This article reviews the imaging and histopathologic findings of various axillary diseases and suggests management guidelines for radiologists based on imaging findings with clinical correlation. CONCLUSION. Although axillary diseases may reveal nonspecific imaging findings, a knowledge of the characteristic radiologic manifestations of specific diseases according to anatomic origin (nodal, accessory breast, adipocytic, fibrous, nerve, vascular, stromal, and dermal) and postsurgical lesions aids in establishing an appropriate differential diagnosis and determining whether intervention is necessary.