Final answer:
The mammographic appearance of a galactocele is a fluid-filled cyst with low density on a mammogram. It is caused by the blocking of milk ducts and is usually benign.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mammographic appearance of a galactocele is a round or oval mass with well-defined borders and a smooth contour. It appears as a fluid-filled cyst with low density on a mammogram, due to the presence of milk. Galactoceles are typically found in lactating women and are caused by the blocking of milk ducts.
During lactation, milk moves from the milk-secreting cells called alveoli in the mammary gland through the lactiferous ducts to the nipple. If a milk duct gets blocked, the milk can accumulate and form a galactocele.
Galactoceles are usually benign and do not require treatment unless they cause discomfort or interfere with breastfeeding. They can be diagnosed through a clinical breast examination, imaging tests like mammograms or ultrasounds, and sometimes by draining the fluid with a needle.