Crystallizing galactocele. A case report

Acta Cytologica
D S RasoJ F Silverman

Abstract

Galactoceles are benign cystic lesions that generally occur during pregnancy and postpartum lactation. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) yields milky fluid that is often both diagnostic and therapeutic. Cytologically, aspirates are generally noted to contain occasional foam cells and benign epithelium displaying lactational change with an abundant background of lipid micelles and proteinaceous material. A 23-year-old, black female presented with a 1.0-cm, discrete, nontender nodule involving the upper middle area of the left breast. FNA showed crystals of varying size and shape, best viewed with Diff-Quik and demonstrating metachromasia, polarization and birefringence. They were also positive with periodic acid-Schiff stain and both alizarin red S and von Kossa stain for calcium. Scanning electron microscopy revealed angulated, well-defined geometric crystals often with scalloped edges and smooth surfaces. The internal structure of the crystals consisted of electron-lucent material without periodicity or lattice formation, as observed by transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction. Electron probe microanalysis identified small quantities of calcium, chlorine, potassium and sulphur within the crystals. We think that in thi...Continue Reading

Citations

Sep 24, 2016·Breast Disease·Archana ShettyV J Jayalakshmi
Dec 30, 2017·Breast Disease·Mohammad Jaseem HassanSujata Jetley
Aug 26, 2018·Diagnostic Cytopathology·P UmasankarAsiq Sideeque
Jan 28, 2006·Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine : Official Journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine·Min Jung KimJae Yeon Seok
Oct 23, 2020·Journal of Cytology·Tanisha SinglaMukul Singh
May 27, 2021·BMJ Case Reports·Bharti VarshneyNaveen Sharma

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