[Contribution to the knowledge of pseudoneoplastic pathology of the breast. Cyto-steatonecrosis]

The authors, from the observation of a case of mammary fat necrosis (BFN), observe the problematic nature of this rare pathology, and describe the clinical anatomy and the main epidemiological, etiological, radiographical, and echographic aspects. They dwell upon the anatomical pathology phase of the fibrous substitution and the fibrosclerosis of the liponecrotic area, in which the BFN assumes a pseudoneoplastic importance, responsible for a clinical summary (hard nodule, of indistinct limits, with frequent cutaneous retractions), a radiography (opacity with faded and irregular or spicular outlines, with or without the thickening and the retraction of the skin above; stick-like or angular dentitrical microcalcifications) an echography ( hypoechogenous nodule that may or may not absorb ultrasounds) that are indistinguishable from those of a carcinoma, or are difficult to interpret in cases of granulomatous substitution not yet evolved into retracted fibrosis. They conclude by emphasizing the role of surgical excision biopsy, with an extemporaneous histological examination, the results of which decide either the immediate closure of the surgical incision, or the adoption of another type of operation.