Abstract
There are many benign breast lesions that mimic breast cancer on breast imaging. Postlumpectomy scar, hematoma, fat necrosis, diabetic mastopathy, and granulomatous mastitis are examples of benign breast lesions that have suspicious breast imaging findings. Mammogram and breast ultrasound are the imaging studies to evaluate breast findings. CT scan is not used to evaluate breast findings because it delivers high radiation dose to the breast, and breast tissue is often confused as breast masses on CT scan. The following case demonstrates an incidentally detected breast mass on CT scan performed to assess for pulmonary embolism. The CT scan and subsequent breast ultrasound both demonstrated suspicious breast imaging findings. Final pathology from ultrasound-guided biopsy revealed hematoma. This benign finding was concordant with the patient’s medical history of cirrhosis with low platelet count and medication history of warfarin.
Highlights
CT is frequently the first radiologic study to detect an abnormal breast lesion due is increasing use
The emergency room radiologist described the right breast mass as a 2-cm mass very concerning for malignancy on the CT scan report
The breast imaging radiologist on subsequent breast ultrasound described the right breast mass as a 25-mm nonparallel, heterogeneous mass with circumscribed margins seen at 9 o'clock, 6 cm from the nipple; given the patient's history of triple negative breast cancer, this was highly concerning for malignancy (BI-RADS category 5)
Summary
CT is frequently the first radiologic study to detect an abnormal breast lesion due is increasing use. Pertinent findings included a circumscribed, isoattenuating mass in the right breast measuring 2.4 x 2.5 cm with subtle rim enhancement (anteroposterior by transverse dimension) (Figure 1). Axial (A) and coronal (B) images demonstrate incidental finding of isoattenuating mass with subtle rim enhancement (red arrows) in the right breast. Most recent screening mammogram two weeks prior to the abnormal CT scan was Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 2 considered as benign for postlumpectomy changes (Figure 2). Diagnostic mammogram of the right breast to further evaluate the suspicious mass seen on CT scan was performed. Findings include postlumpectomy changes in a heterogeneously dense breast (Figure 3). A nonparallel, heterogeneous mass with circumscribed margins was seen at 9 o'clock, 6 cm from the nipple This correlated with the recent CT abnormal finding. Immunostains performed demonstrated CD31, CD34, and p63 positivity, D2-40 negativity, and Ki-67 with scattered cell stains which supported pathology diagnosis
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
