Large Subpectoral Lipoma on Screening Mammography

Abstract

A 61 year-old woman presenting for bilateral screening mammogram was found to have an oval fat-density mass in the posterior right breast, partially visualized, with anterior displacement and thinning of the pectoralis major muscle. This mass was found on CT and MRI correlation to represent a large fat-containing mass, likely a lipoma, deep to the pectoralis major. On subsequent screening mammograms, the visualized portion of the mass remained stable. Subpectoral lipomas and intramuscular lipomas within the pectoralis major are rare, and their appearance on mammography may not be familiar to most radiologists. A review of the literature and a discussion of their appearance on multiple imaging modalities is provided.

A giant, recurrent, subpectoral breast lipoma: case report

“…6 Lipomas of the breast are more common than either subpectoral or intramuscular pectoralis major lipomas. 8 Thus, subpectoral or intrapectoral lipomas are considered to be extremely rare. 3,4,9 In the current case, the patient had previously excised a lipoma at the same site 17 years ago.…”

“…Due to the rarity of the pathology, subpectoral breast lipomas could resemble benign or malignant lesions clinically or on radiological images, as reported in previous studies. 3,8 Factors indicating the possibility of liposarcoma over lipoma are tumors greater than 10 cm, male gender, and age greater than 60 years. 12 In the present case, the patient was treated surgically by a complete excision of the tumor by approaching it through an incision made over the previous scar.…”

Giant intermuscular lipoma of breast: A case report

“…The precise aetiology of lipomas remains elusive, although one hypothesis posits that the coalescence of endocrine, metabolic, and genetic aberrations could potentially underlie the exaggerated proliferation of mature adipocytes. 4 One study found that an IL predominantly affects men aged 40 (range, 11–70) years, and symptoms endured from 1 month to 10 years. 1 Lipoma development can be driven by trauma; however, this was not true in our case.…”

“… 6 There are four cases of giant ILs published in the literature; however, neither exhibited dimensions as substantial as this case. 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 With gradual growth, the tumour exerts pressure on the blood vessels, lymphatic structures, and crucial nerves. 9 However, the presence of a mass often serves as the most prevalent subjective symptom in patients with an IL.…”

Automated breast ultrasound (ABUS): A pictorial essay of common artifacts and benign and malignant pathology

“…20 ). Lipomas can be large, and the wide FOV of ABUS allows the coverage of the entire lesion ( 19 ) .…”