April - June 2009, Volume 5, Issue 2

Panourgias E, Zervoudis S, Koureas A

Inflammatory intramammary lymph node - a benign lesion simulating malignancy on breast MRI

Acta Endo (Buc) 2009, 5 (2): 259-264
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2009.259

Background: Similarities between benign and malignant characteristics of enlarged\r\nLN,s are observed on radiological studies.\r\nCase report: We present a case of an inflammatory intramammary lymph node, which\r\non dynamic MRI presented enhancement features suspicious of malignancy. A 45-year-old\r\nfemale presented with a painful palpable lump in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast.\r\nPhysical examination revealed a firm, movable 2 x 1-cm mass in the upper outer quadrant\r\nand erythema of the skin of the right breast. The mammogram showed a well circumscribed\r\ndensity, whith incraesed echogenity on ultrasound and increased Doppler signal. Breast, on\r\ndynamic MRI presented enhancement features suspicious of malignancy and contrast media\r\nwas washed out on delayed phase images. Pathological diagnosis was reactive lymphoid\r\nhyperplasia of intramammary lymph node.

Keywords: Inflammatory intramammary lymph node, false positive breast MRI

Correspondence: Prof. Stephane Zervoudis, Lito Hospital, Dept of Mastology, 7-13 Mouson\r\nStreet, 11524. Athens, Greece; E-mail; szervoud@otenet.gr