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Simulated metastatic carcinoma after breast reconstruction
American Journal of Surgery
|February 1, 1985
Summary
Suspicious chest roentgenogram lesions after breast reconstruction may be nipple shadows. Oblique films help differentiate these benign findings from malignancy in breast carcinoma patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiology
- Plastic Surgery
Background:
- Mastectomy and reconstruction are common procedures for breast carcinoma.
- Nipple reconstruction techniques often involve local flaps, creating specific radiographic appearances.
Observation:
- Two patients post-mastectomy and reconstruction presented with suspicious lesions on chest roentgenograms.
- These lesions were identified as artifacts from the reconstructed nipples.
Findings:
- Reconstructed nipples, particularly those created with overlapping local flaps, appear as round radiodensities on roentgenograms.
- This radiodensity can mimic suspicious lesions, potentially leading to misdiagnosis.
Implications:
- Radiologists and surgeons should be aware of this potential artifact in patients with breast reconstruction.
- Utilizing oblique films is recommended to accurately localize suspicious roentgenographic findings after nipple reconstruction.