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Bilateral Axillary Accessory Breast Tissue Revealed by Pregnancy
Chirurgia (Bucharest, Romania : 1990)
|January 4, 2017
Summary
This case study details a rare instance of bilateral axillary breast tissue in a 28-year-old woman, presenting during pregnancy and lactation. Surgical removal confirmed normal glandular tissue, addressing aesthetic concerns and potential health risks.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Human Anatomy
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Accessory breast tissue, also known as polymastia, can occur along the embryonic milk lines.
- Axillary accessory breast tissue is uncommon and can present diagnostic challenges, particularly during hormonal fluctuations like pregnancy and lactation.
Observation:
- A 28-year-old woman presented with bilateral axillary masses discovered during her first pregnancy.
- The masses exhibited benign characteristics, with lactation revealing rudimentary nipples and milk-like discharge.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed ectopic breast tissue in both axillae, distinct from the eutopic mammary glands.
Findings:
- Histopathological examination of the surgically removed axillary masses revealed normal glandular breast tissue.
- The ectopic breast tissue demonstrated similar signal intensity to the eutopic mammary glands on MRI.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of recognizing and evaluating axillary masses during pregnancy and lactation.
- Surgical excision is a viable option for managing symptomatic or aesthetically concerning ectopic breast tissue.
- Long-term surveillance may be considered due to the potential risk of breast disease in ectopic tissue.
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