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09:22
Sectioning Mammary Gland Whole Mounts for Lesion Identification
Published on: July 24, 2017
[Mullerian "inclusions" within an intramammary lymph node].
Cécilia Rousselot1, Céline Chapiron, Claire Blechet
1Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, CHU Bretonneau, 2 Boulevard Tonnellé, 37044 Tours, France. cectosy@yahoo.fr
Annales De Pathologie
|November 28, 2006
Summary
Mullerian inclusions, rare in breast lymph nodes, can mimic microcalcifications on mammography. These benign-appearing epithelial formations may be associated with later pelvic serous carcinoma.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Radiology
- Gynecologic Oncology
Background:
- Mullerian inclusions are typically found in lymph nodes below the diaphragm.
- Intra-mammary lymph nodes are rarely affected by Mullerian inclusions.
Observation:
- A 63-year-old asymptomatic patient presented with microcalcifications in the right breast on mammography.
- These microcalcifications were associated with benign-appearing epithelial formations within an intra-mammary lymph node.
- Immunohistochemistry revealed estrogen receptor positivity and negativity for thyroglobulin, calretinin, and smooth muscle actin.
Findings:
- The study identified Mullerian inclusions within an intra-mammary lymph node, a supra-diaphragmatic location.
- The epithelial formations within the inclusions expressed estrogen receptors, suggesting a Mullerian origin.
Implications:
- This case highlights the possibility of Mullerian inclusions occurring in unusual locations like intra-mammary lymph nodes.
- The presence of Mullerian inclusions in the breast, though rare, may be associated with an increased risk of pelvic serous carcinoma.
- This finding underscores the importance of considering Mullerian pathology in supra-diaphragmatic lymph nodes, even in asymptomatic patients.
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