Breast Cyst Aspiration Mammary cysts are found in women of all ages. Cysts may form as a result of duct obstruction, usually by a keratin plug, or as a result of the involutional or aging process. Cysts may be solitary or multiple and 20 to 50 percent of women have breast cysts.
Cysts usually appear as rounded densities on a mammogram.
Cysts cannot be accurately diagnosed by mammography, as they cannot be distinguished from other well defined masses. When a new or larger well defined mass is seen mammographically, an ultrasound study is usually recommended to establish whether a mass is cystic or solid in nature. Cysts may be under tension from undrained secretions. Cyst aspiration using ultrasound guidance is commonly employed to relieve associated discomfort. Occasionally we perform cyst aspirations on women with multiple large cysts prior to mammography so that the underlying glandular tissues are better seen.