New recommendations from the Society of Breast Imaging for patients receiving COVID-19 vaccine

Recent cases have shown patients who have received the COVID-19 Vaccine may present lymphadenopathy causing unclear results in a mammogram. The appearance of lymphadenopathy requires patients to be called back for a follow-up diagnostic exam resulting in increased patient anxiety, additional exposure, and expense. In an effort to reduce these patient burdens SDMI is asking referring physicians to consider the below references from The Society of Breast Imaging.The new consideration states if possible, and when it does not unduly delay care, to consider scheduling screening exams prior to the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination or 4-6 weeks following the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccination.Axillary swelling or tenderness (i.e., lymphadenopathy) is a solicited adverse event reported in patients occurring in the arm and neck 2-4 days following vaccination with a median duration of 1-2 days. Reported rates and duration of adenopathy in both Moderna and Pfizer trials were based on clinical assessment (i.e., physical examination), and therefore rates and duration of subclinical adenopathy appreciable on mammography are likely greater. Anecdotally, mammography detectable axillary adenopathy following COVID-19 vaccinations has been unilateral.To learn more about these findings visit sdmi-lv.com/<Mammo-with-vaccine>