Korean J Radiol.  2013 Oct;14(5):723-726. 10.3348/kjr.2013.14.5.723.

Primary Breast Amyloidosis Presenting as Microcalcifications Only

• Shim Y
• Kim MJ
• Ryu HS
• Park SH

• KMID: 1711425
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2013.14.5.723

Abstract

Amyloidosis is a rare disease characterized by the formation of pathological protein deposits in organs or tissues. It is typically a systemic disease which can occur in a localized form. Amyloidosis of the breast is uncommon. Common mammographic findings of breast amyloidosis are multiple nodules with or without calcifications. We report a case of primary localized breast amyloidosis presenting suspicious microcalcifications on mammography without associated masses. Mammography in a 72-year-old woman displayed multiple, linearly distributed, irregular and rod-like calcifications in the subareolar area of the left breast. The patient underwent surgical excision under mammo-guided needle localization and the pathology was confirmed to be breast amyloidosis.

Keyword

Breast; Amyloidosis; Microcalcification

MeSH Terms

Aged
Amyloidosis/pathology/*ultrasonography
Breast/pathology
Breast Diseases/pathology/*ultrasonography
Calcinosis/*diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Humans
Ultrasonography, Mammary

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Seventy two-year-old woman was diagnosed with primary breast amyloidosis presenting as only microcalcifications. Initial mammography (A) of left breast showing multiple, irregularly linear or rod-like calcifications at upper right, outer quadrant and subareolar area. Follow-up mammography after surgical excisions (B) show unchanged multiple irregular linear calcifications and post-operative architectural distortion. C. Specimen mammogram confirming presence of microcalcification. D. Photomicrograph showing calcification deposition in lobule (arrow) and multiple giant cells at periductal space (arrowhead) (Hematoxylin and Eosin stain, × 200). E. Congo-red stain showing multiple apple-green birefringence under polarized light.

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