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Fat necrosis breast

Case contributed by: Dr Garth Kruger

Presentation:

A patient with previous left breast surgery for CA breast. Palpable mass lesion on clinical exam.

Patient Data:

Gender: Female

From the case: Fat necrosis breast

The serpiginous peripheral calcification around the lucent necrotic fat is typical of breast fat necrosis.

Case Discussion:

The potential for confusion with malignant breast calcification arises when there is a small focus of fat necrosis with a small portion calcified. The key to picking this up is the history of a surgical intervention or breast trauma with a high index of suspicion.

This is a typical image on mammography.