Diffusion-weighted imaging is helpful in the accurate non-invasive diagnosis of breast abscess: correlation with necrotic breast cancer. (22nd March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Cuiyan; Eghtedari, Mohammad; Yang, Wei Tse; Dogan, Basak Erguvan
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2018
• Publication Date: 2018-03-22
• Subjects: cancer - see oncology -- infectious diseases -- breast cancer -- radiology; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2016-217634
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : Clinical differentiation of atypical breast abscesses from necrotic tumour in premenopausal women is challenging and may delay appropriate therapy. In this case report, we present a 36-year-old woman with signs, symptoms and conventional imaging features of malignancy who underwent breast MRI. On diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), profoundly low apparent diffusion coefficient values were a distinguishing sign of breast abscess from necrotic breast cancer, and helped manage the patient conservatively. We present a companion case of necrotic breast tumour highlighting significant differences in DWI.