Barium Sulphate Particles in Breast Mimicking Malignant Type Microcalcification

Barium Sulphate Particles in Breast Mimicking Malignant Type Microcalcification
Louise Bamford, Tong F. Lioe, Declan M. O'Rourke, Miriam R.E. Buckley
The Breast Journal 2009 15; 3: 305-306

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Because of its radiopaque properties, barium sulphate has long been used impregnated into wound dressings, making it visible on X-ray, a useful identifying tool in cases of misplaced dressing materials. It is most likely that the barium sulphate was introduced into the breast from wound dressing materials at the time of previous abscess drainage. Although various materials have been described mimicking microcalcification on mammogram, as far as we are aware, there are no other reports in the literature identifying barium sulphate as the culprit foreign body material in the breast, mimicking malignant type microcalcification on mammogram.

Foreign body materials within breast can mimic sinister pathology. Such mimics, especially in patients where previous intervention has been performed, presented to the unwary, can prompt extensive further investigation, with resultant significant impact on patient management, patient anxiety, and healthcare resources. We must be aware of this potential pitfall

Unilateral Calcifying Lupus Mastitis in a Male Breast

Unilateral Calcifying Lupus Mastitis in a Male Breast
Jeroen Crevits, Andreas Van Steen, Chantal Van Ongeval, Guy Marchal
The Breast Journal 2009 15; 3: 307-308

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Lupus mastitis consists of subcutaneous nodules or plaques, with or without epidermal manifestations, usually leaving persistent areas of lipoatrophy. Those which tend to undergo necrosis may be associated with areas of dystrophic calcification. In men without gynecomastia calcifications can only be due to fat necrosis, that may be extensive in case of lipomastia. Differential diagnosis of lupus mastitis includes breast carcinoma, nonHodgkin lymphoma, uncommon breast localizations of connective tissue and systemic diseases. The dystrophic calcifications in our case were easily differentiated from calcifications indicating malignancy. In fact, these mammographic findings could also be due to silicon injections or posttraumatic fat necrosis, but interrogation rejected these hypotheses.

Lupus mastitis is a subset of lupus panniculitis limited to the breast. It is a rare inflammatory reaction of the subcutaneous fat, that may occur in 2–3% of patients with SLE. Lupus mastitis can be suspected in patients with SLE presenting with breast masses involving the subcutaneous fat. However, it is important that any suspicious calcifications and masses should be well examined to exclude malignancy

"Cholesteroloma": A Rare Cause of "Indeterminate" Microcalcifications on Mammography

"Cholesteroloma": A Rare Cause of "Indeterminate" Microcalcifications on Mammography
Michael A. Seidman, Theresa Scognamiglio, Syed A. Hoda
The Breast Journal 2009 15; 3: 303-304

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"Cholesteroloma" forms when ectatic ducts rupture releasing luminal debris, histiocytes, and cholesterol and/or its precursors into breast stroma. Cholesterol is the principal component of this mass—hence the term "cholesteroloma."

Calcifying Fibrous Pseudotumor of the Breast

Calcifying Fibrous Pseudotumor of the Breast
Amrit Mangat, Carol Schiller, Patricia Mengoni, Carol Reynolds, Jacqueline S. Jeruss
The Breast Journal 2009 15; 3: 299-301

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Calcifying fibrous pseudotumor (CFP) is classified as a benign fibrous lesion, and is a rare pathologic entity. Previous reports have described CFPs in the extremities, chest wall, pleura, scrotum, mediastinum, neck, and visceral peritoneum. We present the first reported case of a CFP in the breast. CFP should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with coarse indeterminate calcifications of the breast