Infarcted intraduct papilloma diagnosed by fine-needle biopsy: a cytologic, clinical, and mammographic pitfall.
Necrosis is a worrisome cytologic feature in breast aspirates which, when paired with suspicious clinical and mammographic findings, could potentially result in a false positive diagnosis. A 66-yr-old female presented with clinical evidence of stage 1 breast carcinoma supported by the mammographic and ultrasound findings. A fine-needle biopsy (FNB) revealed extensive necrosis with scattered degenerate columnar cells, occasional clusters of hyperchromatic epithelial cells, and a few sheets of ductal cells. A cytologic diagnosis of an infarcted intraduct papilloma was made. This uncommon diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by open biopsy. Cytologic features to distinguish infarcted, necrotic, and papillary breast lesions are discussed.
Greenberg
M L
ML
Department of Cytology, Westmead Hospital, NSW, Australia.
Middleton
P D
PD
Bilous
A M
AM
D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007238:Infarction / Q000473:pathology*; D008327:Mammography; D009336:Necrosis / Q000473:pathology; D018300:Papilloma, Intraductal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*