The radial scar (RS) or complex sclerosing lesion (CSL) of the breast represents a management dilemma on diagnosis at breast core needle biopsy because of the risk of associated malignancy identified only upon surgical excision. To determine our experience, we retrospectively reviewed core needle biopsies performed at the Darlene G. Cass Breast Imaging Center from 2006 to 2011, identifying 67 patients with RS or CSL, and correlated histology at excisional biopsy with core biopsy results. Of the 67 cases, 6 (9%) were associated with malignancy at surgical excision. The average size of the RS or CSL was 1.42 cm. In conclusion, RS or CSL diagnosed at core needle biopsy still warrants surgical excision because of the significant percentage (9%) of cases with associated malignancy.
Sarcoidosis is an immunologic disease of unknown etiology that manifests most frequently within the lungs or associated lymph nodes. Sarcoidosis involving the breast is seen in <1% of cases and usually is diagnosed in patients with multisystem disease. The clinical and imaging presentations of sarcoidosis of the breast can be variable. Though uncommon, sarcoidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a breast lesion, and given that imaging characteristics cannot distinguish between sarcoidosis and malignancy, all breast lesions in patients with sarcoidosis should be biopsied. Our case study demonstrates a diagnosis of sarcoidosis in an asymptomatic patient presenting with a single dilated duct and associated filling defect within the right breast.
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