Abstract
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin disorder typically affecting the groin, inframammary folds, and axillae. HS is characterized by the development of boils, abscesses, fistulas, and sinus tracts. Due to the inflammatory destruction of lymph vessels, patients with long-standing HS may develop lymphedema. Most commonly reported in the literature is lymphedema involvement of the genital and anal regions. In this case report, we describe unilateral breast skin changes in a patient with HS. The patient was extensively worked up for inflammatory breast cancer, and eventually underwent stereotactic biopsies. Subsequently, these biopsies were consistent with lymphedema due to her chronic HS. Although rare, there is a paucity of literature describing breast lymphedema associated with HS. As breast lymphedema due to HS may mimic inflammatory breast cancer, it is important for providers to firstly rule out malignancy and place lymphedema high on the differential when examining and treating these patients.
Highlights
We describe unilateral breast skin changes in a patient with Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, sinus tracts, and fistulas that typically occur in the groin, inframammary folds, and axillae
We present a patient with Hurley III HS with a peau d'orange appearance of her breast, raising concern for inflammatory breast cancer
Summary
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, sinus tracts, and fistulas that typically occur in the groin, inframammary folds, and axillae. A 63-year-old female with longstanding Hurley III HS affecting her bilateral axillae, inframammary region, and groin presented to her primary care physician with a three-month history of unilateral breast redness and heaviness. She denied the presence of any discrete masses or nipple discharge. There are linear knife-like fissures in the inframammary fold She had bilateral HS, her contralateral breast did not exhibit these skin changes. The patient underwent a diagnostic mammogram due to concerns for inflammatory breast cancer, which demonstrated skin thickening on the affected breast with suspicious calcifications in both breasts. A follow-up mammogram was scheduled for four months later which was negative for malignancy in either breast
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
