[Mucocele-like lesions of the breast: management after diagnosis on ultrasound guided core biopsy or stereotactic vacuum-assisted biopsy].

OBJECTIVES

Clinical and pathological features of mucocele-like lesions in the breast are well-known though rare. The aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency of other breast proliferations association, the underestimation with ultrasound guided core biopsy or stereotactic vacuum-assisted biopsy and its implication on patient's management.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Retrospective study conducted in the gynecology departments of Tours and Orleans between January 1997 and December 2007, reviewing the records of all patients with diagnosis of mammary mucocele-like lesion on core or stereotactic biopsy.

RESULTS

Eight cases were identified, all screen-detected (mammographic abnormalities) on asymptomatic women. For the five cases diagnosed by core biopsy, initial histological examination found isolated mucocele-like lesions in four cases, and association with atypical ductal hyperplasia in the other case. Vacuum-assisted biopsy and/or surgical excision were always done finding an association with mucinous carcinoma and another case of association with atypical ductal hyperplasia. For cases diagnosed by vacuum-assisted biopsy, histological examination was almost similar to the surgical one.

DISCUSSION AND

CONCLUSION

High rate of associated lesions (especially atypical ductal hyperplasia) makes necessary the advice of complementary surgical excision after a diagnosis of a mucocele-like lesion on a biopsy specimen. Vacuum-assisted biopsies could have their place as a curative method in certain conditions.