Original report. Mucocele-like tumors of the breast: mammographic and sonographic appearances

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2003 Apr;180(4):949-54. doi: 10.2214/ajr.180.4.1800949.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of our study was to describe the mammographic and sonographic appearances of the mucocele-like tumor of the breast.

Conclusion: The mucocele-like tumor is a rare lesion of the breast, the benign form of which has a nonspecific mammographic appearance. The tumor can present as indeterminate microcalcifications or as a nodule, often containing calcifications. The sonographic findings are of multiple well-defined hypoechoic oval or tubular structures with low-level internal echoes resembling complex cysts. Mucocele-like tumors of the breast can be associated with atypical hyperplasia or carcinoma. If a mucocele-like tumor is diagnosed at core needle biopsy, complete surgical excision is recommended, with careful evaluation of the entire specimen to exclude the presence of atypia or carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Breast / pathology
  • Breast / surgery
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Calcinosis / diagnosis
  • Calcinosis / pathology
  • Calcinosis / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fibrocystic Breast Disease / diagnosis*
  • Fibrocystic Breast Disease / pathology
  • Fibrocystic Breast Disease / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia
  • Mammography*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucocele / diagnosis*
  • Mucocele / pathology
  • Mucocele / surgery
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Ultrasonography, Mammary*