[A woman with a painful swelling in the breast]

A hibernoma is a rare benign lipomatous tumour, consisting of brown and white fat cells. In general, a hibernoma is an asymptomatic swelling that increases slowly in size, but it can sometimes cause pain.

A 62-year-old woman presented at the breast clinic with a painful swelling in the right breast that was increasing in size. Radiological examination initially suggested a hamartoma. However, on the basis of histological examination of a biopsy, the diagnosis of hibernoma was made. The hibernoma was removed surgically.

A hibernoma of the breast can grow to such a size that pain can arise due to compression of the mammary parenchyma. Surgical resection is only indicated if the hibernoma causes symptoms or for cosmetic reasons.