Pilomatrixoma of the breast, a rare lesion simulating breast cancer: a case report

Authors

  • Jacopo Nori
  • Dalmar Abdulcadir
  • Elisabetta Giannotti
  • Massimo Calabrese

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v7i10.1651

Keywords:

breast, breast pilomatrixoma, breast calcified nodules, core needle biopsy

Abstract

Pilomatrixoma or calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe is a rare, benign, skin tumour originating from piliferous follicles; breast localization is considered to be very rare. These lesions can origin from the peri-areolar piliferous bulbs and, due to the clinical and imaging features, be easily misdiagnosed as a breast neoplasm. We present a case of pilomatrixoma of the left breast in a woman of 43 years appearing as a firm, deep nodule in the external quadrants. The lesion had mammographic and sonographic malignant features, but histological analysis on core-needle biopsy and surgical specimens revealed this unusual benign lesion.

Author Biographies

Jacopo Nori

Diagnostic Senology Unit

Department of Radiology

Careggi University Hospital of Florence

Largo Brambilla 3, 50100 Florence (FI), Italy

Dalmar Abdulcadir

Diagnostic Senology Unit

Department of Radiology

Careggi University Hospital of Florence

Largo Brambilla 3, 50100 Florence (FI), Italy

Elisabetta Giannotti

Diagnostic Senology Unit

Department of Radiology

Careggi University Hospital of Florence

Largo Brambilla 3, 50100 Florence (FI), Italy

Massimo Calabrese

National Institute for Cancer Research

Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genova (GE), Italy.

Published

2013-10-23

Issue

Section

Breast Imaging