Difficulty diagnosing breast cancer recurrence in the context of a radio-frequency-identification device-containing...

Concerns around the risk of prosthetic post-mastectomy breast reconstruction obscuring breast cancer recurrence existed in the early days of breast reconstruction but were laid to rest with cohort studies. We present an unusual case where MRI images were limited in diagnosing breast cancer recurrence, partly due to an artefact produced by a radio-frequency-identification device (RFID) contained within the implant. Co-existing Tietze's syndrome, an uncommon benign inflammatory condition effecting the chest wall, further confused the picture. This case highlights the diverse pathologies that can present as chest wall symptoms in breast reconstruction patients, and the diagnostic limitations of breast MRI with RFID-containing implants.