Cytological diagnosis of crystallizing galactocele - report of an unusual case.

Abstract

Crystallizing galactocele is a very rare entity which yields a viscous, chalky material on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC). FNAC is used both for diagnosis as well as treatment of this condition. We present here a case of 26 years old lactating female who presented with swelling in the right breast for 8 months. The swelling was firm, discrete, non-tender and mobile involving the upper inner quadrant of right breast. A diagnosis of benign breast disease, possibly fibroadenoma was made clinically. FNAC of the lesion yielded thick, milky and chalky material. Cytological smears showed numerous semitransparent crystals of varying size and shapes with angulated borders in a background of granular and amorphous debris along with frothy appearing micelles. These crystals show positive birefringence. Based on clinical history of lactation and typical cytological findings, a diagnosis of crystallizing galactocele was made. We report this case because of rarity of this condition and to the best of our knowledge, till date only five cases of crystallizing galactocele has been reported in medical literature.