Imaging for axillary clearance in breast

[yizzit]

I just had an MRI but was told that it will not identify a complete axillary clearance
I was not told that prior to the MRI

1]   Can you explain or identify the best imaging procedure to  detect whether
or not a completion axillary clearance was performed??

2]  I did some research and it said the Ultrasound can detect axillary clearance
but not for Simple Mastectomy
Is that because the axillary nodes are never removed in a simple [total]
mastectomy?
Thank you

[yizzit]

Well thank you so very much Dr. Paul

You have just cleared up a very troubling issue!

Yes -in my opinion,  the scar does extend to the axillary area

Aside from hiring an expert  opinion, I am trying to find any images online that
demonstrates the typical incision of a simple mastectomy

I know you are busy offering your generous time to
others, but If you have any links to share on that I would be so very
grateful

God bless and keep you~

[PaulMD]

Hi.

Simple mastectomy would not touch the nodes in the axillary area.  If these lymph nodes are small and left untouched, the ultrasound may not really be able to detect these.

I believe that no imaging test is accurate enough to assess this, and the best way to found out is to ask your doctor or the surgeon who did the mastectomy if he or she really did the axillary clearance procedure.  We can also tell if this is done depending on the extent of the surgical incision (if this extends towards the axilla).

Regards.