Letter S
SIX MONTH OR SHORT INTERVAL FOLLOW-UP
This is recommended when the abnormal finding on the mammogram or ultrasound has a low chance of being a cancer. Technically, the chance of cancer is less than 2%. If the patient is too worried to wait for the 6 month follow-up, she can request a biopsy.
SKIN CALCIFICATIONS
These have typical, recognizable shapes. They may look like tiny white donuts on a mammogram. They are not cancerous.
SKIN LESION
An abnormality that is associated with the skin. Sometimes, it is readily visible such as a mole or pustule (“zit”). Sometimes, it is within the skin or just under the skin and you can’t see it. 2 examples of skin lesions are melanomas and sebaceous cysts.
SMALL VESSEL DISEASE
This means that there have been many “mini-strokes” in the brain. It can be seen in people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and/or diabetes.
SMALL VESSEL ISCHEMIC DISEASE
Multiple “mini-strokes” in the brain. This can be seen in people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and/or diabetes.
SNOWSTORM APPEARANCE
An ultrasound finding that is seen with a silicone breast implant rupture. More specifically, this indicates an extracapsular breast implant rupture.
SOFT TISSUES
These are tissues of the body excluding bone. Examples include muscles, tendons, skin, blood vessels, nerves etc.
SONOGRAPHIC MURPHY’S SIGN
Test to see if there is pain when the ultrasound tech is pressing over the gallbladder area. Positive sign means there is pain, while negative sign means there is NO pain. Positive sign can be often seen when there is acute cholecystitis (“sick” gallbladder).
SPHENOID SINUS
Located in the middle and base of the skull. If infected or inflamed, it can be a source of headaches or fever.
SPICULATED
Adjective. This is used to describe the margins of a breast mass. It means that the margins pointy, like a bur (spiky seed pod). This is a descriptor used for a suspicious appearing mass.
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