May 2008

Irregular cystic mass in the breast

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Clinical information

Large palpable mass without pain or signs of infection

Ultrasound Images & Clips

53 year old female, Large palpable mass without pain or signs of infection

Irregular cystic mass with a thick irregular wall and desmoplastic reaction around the cyst

Detail of another part of the cystic mass with a layer of debris

Part of the cystic mass with smaller cysts

Detail of another part of the mass. Because there were no signs of infection a multilocular breast abscess was not very likely. We aspirated some of the cysts under ultrasound guidance and biopsied the irregular cyst walls. The cytological and histol

The mass also contains cysts with an irregular thick wall

There are also smaller and larger cysts

Irregular cystic mass in the breast

Conclusion

Some of the cysts contain reflective material and are surrounded by hyperechoic inflamed fat which can not be differentiated from the desmoplastic reaction as can be seen in malignancy.
In this case no malignancy was found.

References
Günhan-Bilgen I, Memis A, Ustün EE, Zekioglu O, Ozdemir N Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: clinical, mammographic, and sonographic findings with histopathologic correlation.AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2002 Jun;178(6):1421-5.

Park JM, Han BK, Moon WK, Choe YH, Ahn SH, Gong G. Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: mammographic and sonographic findings.
J Clin Ultrasound. 2000 May;28(4):179-86.

Details

Sex: Female
Age: 53

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Author

Dr. Taco Geertsma

Retired Radiologist, Gelderse Vallei Hospital

Dr. Taco Geertsma is the founder of UltrasoundCases.info and a retired radiologist and has worked in the Gelderse Vallei hospital from January 1, 1983. till July 1, 2014. He was the head of the ultrasound department for many years.

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