"Possible architectural distortion" on mammography

center1

Does anyone know what this means?  I had a mammo in January and they said it was fine.  Upon moving to another state, I sent my scans to another breast center (U of Chicago) to establish care and the radiologist said that upon review there is "Possible architectural distortion" and recommends another mammo and possible ultra sound.  Is anyone familiar with this term on a mammography?

momoschki

It basically  means that there is an asymmetry in the breast tissue that could be indicative of either scarring from a previous surgery, or a possible malignancy.  From what I have read, these distortions can  be quite subtle, so perhaps in the current radiologist's judgment, this area needs further assessment.  FWIW, I have had this finding on mammograms more than once and upon a second compression view, it turned out to be nothing.  Sometimes it is just overlapping tissue.

MelissaDallas

It can even be an overlap of tissue on a bad "take" of a mammogram view.

center1

Thank you so very much for your reply.  I just really needed to know that it is possible to be nothing.  You know how the internet is.  My mammo was done in January and since we moved out of state, I sent my films to U of Chicago to establish new care.  While the original hospital it was done at said that everything was fine, the new guy, upon reading the scans, has asked for another mammogram citing "Possible architectural distortion".  I know it isn't unheard of for places to miss things but I would hope that the original hospital studied my scans carefully given that I'm high risk.  So I'm hoping this guy is just being cautious because I'm a new patient.  Big hug from me for sharing your experience.  

center1

Thank you!   It's so discouraging to have to go trough this again after feeling such relief that I got the "all clear" on the same mammo.  If this comes out okay, I'd really like to work towards making a difference in the medical community with respect to handling women's anxieties over mammography, biopsy, etc.  Less wait times, more definitions/explanations, reassurances, compassion, etc.  we all go through so much hell.

momoschki

Yep, this whole business is certainly very stressful.  And yes, I have had the "architectural distortion" callback when the issue was simply the tech's positioning of my (large) breast on the plate.  It sometimes required some maneuvering on her part to get everything to lie correctly.

center1

I'm keeping your comment up on my phone screen and will be taking it with me tomorrow.  Thank you for the reassurance.  I also spoke to an acquaintance that is a radiologist and she said that it is pretty unlikely that the first hospital overlooked anything (she is familiar with them) and this new place is just being cautious.  Sigh.  Let's hope.  My husband and I have two year old twins and we are in the process of buying a house so here's to praying we can keep that process on its smooth track!  

momoschki

Best of luck and let us know how everything turns out for you!

ballet12

I have architectural distortion from scar tissue from multiple surgeries. Once U of Chicago gets to know your breasts, they'll be able to sort out the architectural distortion from something more serious (not to say that there couldn't be something like that now).  Sounds like you are in good hands.

center1

Thanks everyone!  I went today.  They did a mammogram and ultra sound and said that everything looks great!  I'm so relieved!

Anonymous

wonderful news! now you can relax!

Anne