IMPORTANT: We currently have a number of bugs related to image cropping and are actively trying to resolve them. In the meantime, we have disabled cropping. Apologies for any inconvenience. Stay informed: radiopaedia.org/chat

Fat necrosis breast

Case contributed by Garth Kruger
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Magnification view of the left breast in diagnostic workup.

Patient Data

Age: 45

A partially calcified oil cyst showing curvilinear calcification beginning on the right of the cyst. The lucent rounded low density ball is the oil cyst. The peripheral calcification is typical for that of fat necrosis. Note the fibrosis around the oil cyst related to an open surgical biopsy.

Case Discussion

Fat necrosis imaging can be confusing initially. The key  is to keep in mind the pathology involved. The imaging is a spectrum that ranges from an oil cysts to partial calcification the dense widespread, alarming balls of calcium in the breast. It just depends at which stage of te process you are imaging the breast. 

The secret is to know the surgical (or trauma) history and to have previous for comparison. I always add ultrsound and the ultrsound imaging is very typical. Note in the mammogram image the spiculation from the reaction and fibrosis following surgey; you can see this on ultrasound too.

Train your eye to spot and follow fat necrosis is the surgically reduced breast; after  a while you spot them immediately. Remember the fat necrosis can be a way from the scar they do not have to be directly contigous.

The wide spectrum of appearances of fat necrosis is the key to getting at the diagnosis. That and the history. The images can progress and change with time, sometimes years after the surgery.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.