Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
09:22
Sectioning Mammary Gland Whole Mounts for Lesion Identification
Published on: July 24, 2017
HIV-associated intramammary lymphadenopathy
Panagiotis A Konstantinopoulos1, Bruce J Dezube, David March
1Division of Hematology/Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
The Breast Journal
|February 27, 2007
Summary
HIV-associated intramammary lymphadenopathy can present as a painful breast mass. This under-reported condition should be considered in HIV-positive patients, with fine-needle aspiration potentially sufficient for diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The differential diagnosis of breast masses in HIV-infected individuals is extensive.
- HIV infection can lead to various opportunistic infections and malignancies affecting the breast.
Observation:
- A case of HIV-associated intramammary lymphadenopathy presented as a painful, solitary breast mass.
- Ultrasound imaging was crucial in demonstrating the lesion.
- Fine-needle aspiration (FNA), core needle biopsy, and excisional biopsy confirmed an intramammary lymph node with reactive changes.
Findings:
- The histological findings were consistent with acute HIV-associated lymphadenopathy.
- Intramammary lymphadenopathy is an under-reported cause of breast masses in HIV patients.
Implications:
- Intramammary lymphadenopathy should be included in the differential diagnosis for breast masses in HIV-positive patients.
- FNA may be adequate for diagnosing benign-appearing breast lesions in this population if sufficient material is obtained for further testing.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management and to exclude malignancy.
