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Image of the Month—Diagnosis

Image of the Month—Diagnosis Answer: Mondor Disease Lymphangiectasia of the breast represents superficial lymphatic dilatations usually caused by upper limb edema secondary to mastectomy, radiotherapy, keloids, and scleroderma. Clinically, they consist of translucent bullous vesicles in a chronic lymphedema area, and findings of radiological examinations are usually within normal limits. Lymphangiectasia was not an appropriate diagnosis in this case because of the lack of vesicles on physical examination and unremarkable history.1 Granulomatous mastitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that has clinical and radiologic findings similar to those of breast cancer. Focal asymmetric densities and ill-defined masses with tubular hypoechoic structures with fingerlike projections are the most common findings during mammographic and sonographic examinations, respectively.2,3 These imaging findings were inharmonious for our patient. Diabetic mastopathy is an uncommon entity occurring in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Imaging findings are nonspecific and usually mimicking breast carcinoma.4 Mondor disease of the breast is a rare benign disease of unknown etiology, characterized by thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins of the breast and anterior chest wall. The lateral thoracic and thoracoepigastric veins are the most commonly involved structures. Trauma to the chest wall, previous breast surgery and biopsy, inflammatory and infective processes, excessive physical activity, and breast cancer are the predisposing conditions that are reported in several studies.5-8 Patients usually present with single or multiple palpable, painful stringlike structures.5,7,8 Diagnosis is usually made by history and physical examination. Imaging is necessary primarily for the evaluation of palpable masses.5,9 Mammography usually reveals tubular or branching linear densities representing thrombosed veins. At sonography, thrombosed vessels appear as superficially located, long, tubular, noncompressible anechoic structures with beaded appearances without flow on color Doppler studies. In acute cases, a thrombus causing distension of the vessel may be seen. Differentiation of a thrombosed vein from a duct is important; a thrombosed vein is longer, superficially located with a beaded appearance, and most commonly seen in the outer aspect of the breast without termination in the retroareolar region.5,7 Another important point is the association of this entity with breast cancer. Although this association is not high, it is accepted that breast cancer may be the cause of this pathology; therefore, mammography should be performed, even in the presence of a normal physical examination.5,10 Mondor disease is a benign and self-limiting entity, and conservative treatment is used only for the relief of pain. There is usually no need to perform biopsy to rule out breast cancer.5,10 With these findings, Mondor disease of the breast was diagnosed and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were prescribed. One month later, the lesion disappeared and discomfort was absent. In conclusion, Mondor disease of the breast is a benign and self-limiting condition, diagnosed by history and physical examination and treated conservatively. Imaging is required for exclusion of underlying breast cancer. Return to Quiz Case. Back to top Article Information Correspondence: Mustafa Hasbahceci, MD, 29 May Hospital, Hırkaiserif M Kececi Cesmesi S, Doktorlar s B Bl 6/7 Fatih, Istanbul 34291, Turkey (hasbahceci@yahoo.com). Accepted for Publication: April 18, 2011. Author Contributions:Study concept and design: Hasbahceci, Erol, and Seker. Acquisition of data: Hasbahceci, Erol, and Seker. Analysis and interpretation of data: Hasbahceci. Drafting of the manuscript: Hasbahceci and Erol. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Hasbahceci and Seker. Obtained funding: Hasbahceci. Administrative, technical, and material support: Hasbahceci, Erol, and Seker. Study supervision: Hasbahceci, Erol, and Seker. Financial Disclosure: None reported. References 1. Tasdelen I, Gokgoz S, Paksoy E, et al. Acquired lymphangiectasis after breast conservation treatment for breast cancer: report of a case. Dermatol Online J. 2004;10(1):915347491PubMedGoogle Scholar 2. Lacambra M, Thai TA, Lam CC, et al. Granulomatous mastitis: the histological differentials. J Clin Pathol. 2011;64(5):405-41121385894PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 3. Hovanessian Larsen LJ, Peyvandi B, Klipfel N, Grant E, Iyengar G. Granulomatous lobular mastitis: imaging, diagnosis, and treatment. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2009;193(2):574-58119620458PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 4. Neetu G, Pathmanathan R, Weng NK. Diabetic mastopathy: a case report and literature review. Case Rep Oncol. 2010;3(2):245-25120740205PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 5. Shetty MK, Watson AB. Mondor's disease of the breast: sonographic and mammographic findings. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2001;177(4):893-89611566698PubMedGoogle Scholar 6. Paniagua CT, Negron ZD. Mondor's disease: a case study. J Am Acad Nurse Pract. 2010;22(6):312-31520536629PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 7. Yanik B, Conkbayir I, Oner O, Hekimoğlu B. Imaging findings in Mondor's disease. J Clin Ultrasound. 2003;31(2):103-10712539252PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 8. Pugh CM, DeWitty RL. Mondor's disease. J Natl Med Assoc. 1996;88(6):359-3638691496PubMedGoogle Scholar 9. Alvarez-Garrido H, Garrido-Ríos AA, Sanz-Muñoz C, Miranda-Romero A. Mondor's disease. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2009;34(7):753-75619575733PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 10. Mayor M, Burón I, de Mora JC, et al. Mondor's disease. Int J Dermatol. 2000;39(12):922-92511168662PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of Surgery American Medical Association

Image of the Month—Diagnosis

Archives of Surgery , Volume 147 (2) – Feb 20, 2012

Image of the Month—Diagnosis

Abstract

Answer: Mondor Disease Lymphangiectasia of the breast represents superficial lymphatic dilatations usually caused by upper limb edema secondary to mastectomy, radiotherapy, keloids, and scleroderma. Clinically, they consist of translucent bullous vesicles in a chronic lymphedema area, and findings of radiological examinations are usually within normal limits. Lymphangiectasia was not an appropriate diagnosis in this case because of the lack of vesicles on physical examination and unremarkable...
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References (10)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 2012 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0004-0010
eISSN
1538-3644
DOI
10.1001/archsurg.147.2.198
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Answer: Mondor Disease Lymphangiectasia of the breast represents superficial lymphatic dilatations usually caused by upper limb edema secondary to mastectomy, radiotherapy, keloids, and scleroderma. Clinically, they consist of translucent bullous vesicles in a chronic lymphedema area, and findings of radiological examinations are usually within normal limits. Lymphangiectasia was not an appropriate diagnosis in this case because of the lack of vesicles on physical examination and unremarkable history.1 Granulomatous mastitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that has clinical and radiologic findings similar to those of breast cancer. Focal asymmetric densities and ill-defined masses with tubular hypoechoic structures with fingerlike projections are the most common findings during mammographic and sonographic examinations, respectively.2,3 These imaging findings were inharmonious for our patient. Diabetic mastopathy is an uncommon entity occurring in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Imaging findings are nonspecific and usually mimicking breast carcinoma.4 Mondor disease of the breast is a rare benign disease of unknown etiology, characterized by thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins of the breast and anterior chest wall. The lateral thoracic and thoracoepigastric veins are the most commonly involved structures. Trauma to the chest wall, previous breast surgery and biopsy, inflammatory and infective processes, excessive physical activity, and breast cancer are the predisposing conditions that are reported in several studies.5-8 Patients usually present with single or multiple palpable, painful stringlike structures.5,7,8 Diagnosis is usually made by history and physical examination. Imaging is necessary primarily for the evaluation of palpable masses.5,9 Mammography usually reveals tubular or branching linear densities representing thrombosed veins. At sonography, thrombosed vessels appear as superficially located, long, tubular, noncompressible anechoic structures with beaded appearances without flow on color Doppler studies. In acute cases, a thrombus causing distension of the vessel may be seen. Differentiation of a thrombosed vein from a duct is important; a thrombosed vein is longer, superficially located with a beaded appearance, and most commonly seen in the outer aspect of the breast without termination in the retroareolar region.5,7 Another important point is the association of this entity with breast cancer. Although this association is not high, it is accepted that breast cancer may be the cause of this pathology; therefore, mammography should be performed, even in the presence of a normal physical examination.5,10 Mondor disease is a benign and self-limiting entity, and conservative treatment is used only for the relief of pain. There is usually no need to perform biopsy to rule out breast cancer.5,10 With these findings, Mondor disease of the breast was diagnosed and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were prescribed. One month later, the lesion disappeared and discomfort was absent. In conclusion, Mondor disease of the breast is a benign and self-limiting condition, diagnosed by history and physical examination and treated conservatively. Imaging is required for exclusion of underlying breast cancer. Return to Quiz Case. Back to top Article Information Correspondence: Mustafa Hasbahceci, MD, 29 May Hospital, Hırkaiserif M Kececi Cesmesi S, Doktorlar s B Bl 6/7 Fatih, Istanbul 34291, Turkey (hasbahceci@yahoo.com). Accepted for Publication: April 18, 2011. Author Contributions:Study concept and design: Hasbahceci, Erol, and Seker. Acquisition of data: Hasbahceci, Erol, and Seker. Analysis and interpretation of data: Hasbahceci. Drafting of the manuscript: Hasbahceci and Erol. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Hasbahceci and Seker. Obtained funding: Hasbahceci. Administrative, technical, and material support: Hasbahceci, Erol, and Seker. Study supervision: Hasbahceci, Erol, and Seker. Financial Disclosure: None reported. References 1. Tasdelen I, Gokgoz S, Paksoy E, et al. Acquired lymphangiectasis after breast conservation treatment for breast cancer: report of a case. Dermatol Online J. 2004;10(1):915347491PubMedGoogle Scholar 2. Lacambra M, Thai TA, Lam CC, et al. Granulomatous mastitis: the histological differentials. J Clin Pathol. 2011;64(5):405-41121385894PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 3. Hovanessian Larsen LJ, Peyvandi B, Klipfel N, Grant E, Iyengar G. Granulomatous lobular mastitis: imaging, diagnosis, and treatment. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2009;193(2):574-58119620458PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 4. Neetu G, Pathmanathan R, Weng NK. Diabetic mastopathy: a case report and literature review. Case Rep Oncol. 2010;3(2):245-25120740205PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 5. Shetty MK, Watson AB. Mondor's disease of the breast: sonographic and mammographic findings. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2001;177(4):893-89611566698PubMedGoogle Scholar 6. Paniagua CT, Negron ZD. Mondor's disease: a case study. J Am Acad Nurse Pract. 2010;22(6):312-31520536629PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 7. Yanik B, Conkbayir I, Oner O, Hekimoğlu B. Imaging findings in Mondor's disease. J Clin Ultrasound. 2003;31(2):103-10712539252PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 8. Pugh CM, DeWitty RL. Mondor's disease. J Natl Med Assoc. 1996;88(6):359-3638691496PubMedGoogle Scholar 9. Alvarez-Garrido H, Garrido-Ríos AA, Sanz-Muñoz C, Miranda-Romero A. Mondor's disease. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2009;34(7):753-75619575733PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 10. Mayor M, Burón I, de Mora JC, et al. Mondor's disease. Int J Dermatol. 2000;39(12):922-92511168662PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref

Journal

Archives of SurgeryAmerican Medical Association

Published: Feb 20, 2012

Keywords: breast,breast cancer,mondor's disease,diagnostic imaging,physical examination

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