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Case Reports
. 2022 Oct 15;14(10):e30336.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.30336. eCollection 2022 Oct.

Tattoo Pigment in an Intramammary Lymph Node Mimicking Breast Malignancy

Jayda Jung  1 , Gesine Peters  2 , Shaun Donovan  3 , Gudrun Peters  4
Affiliations
Case Reports

Tattoo Pigment in an Intramammary Lymph Node Mimicking Breast Malignancy

Jayda Jung et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

There are many patterns of microcalcification in mammography. Distinguishing between these patterns can be challenging. A malignant cause needs to be assessed through further diagnostic workup. We present a case of a 36-year-old BRCA1 mutation carrier, presenting with a small mass containing calcification on her screening mammogram. A vacuum-assisted biopsy under tomosynthesis guidance was performed and demonstrated an intramammary lymph node showing prominent extracellular black pigment. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of tattoo pigment mimicking breast malignancy on mammography.

Keywords: breast calcification; breast malignancy; case report; intramammary lymph node; tattoo pigment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Left mediolateral oblique mammogram showing a small mass lesion containing radiopaque material.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Left craniocaudal mammogram showing a small mass lesion containing radiopaque material.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Spot magnification mammogram showing the small mass lesion containing radiopaque material.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Specimen X-ray confirming radiopaque material within the specimen.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Post-interventional left mediolateral oblique mammogram confirming the marker at the target.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Left craniocaudal mammogram confirming the marker at the target.
Figure 7
Figure 7. Low-power view of the black tattoo pigment within an otherwise normal lymph node.
Figure 8
Figure 8. High-power view of black tattoo pigment within the lymph node.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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