Sunday, May 1, 2011

Examination of the Breast



·         Inspection
o   Patient sitting
§  Assess – asymmetry
§  Visible masses
§  Distortion or skin tethering
§  Nipple discharge
§  Ulceration
§  Oedema and erythema of skin (Paeu d’orange)
·         Palpation
o   Patient lying in near supine position, or in semi recumbent position if the breast are large
§  Arms raised
§  Hand behind the head
o   Palpate the four quadrants including the axillary tail.
o   If a mass is detected examine it further with the thumb and the forefinger
§  Site
§  Size
§  Surface
§  Shape
§  Mobility
§  Consistency
§  Tenderness
§  Transilluminating or not
§   Enlargement of the lymph nodes
·         Examine axillary and cervical draining nodes
·         Examine abdominal organs for metastatic involvement 

 ANATOMY OF THE BREASTS

No comments: