An unusual case of pneumomastia: mammographic appearances

Gas in the breast parenchyma (pneumomastia) is a common occurrence after breast interventional procedures but is a rare phenomenon otherwise and not previously recorded mammographically. We present a case of pneumomastia presenting after laparoscopic abdominal surgery. The juxtaposition of laparoscopic surgery with a mammogram appointment is likely to be a rare event; however, recognition of this entity will avoid potential diagnostic pitfalls and allow the radiologist to alert the examining breast surgeon to the possible presence of subcutaneous crepitation.