CASE 1329 Published on 29.09.2002
0

Sternal metastasis from breast cancer

Section

Chest imaging

Case Type

Clinical Cases

Authors

F. Cademartiri, G. Luccichenti, P. Pavone

Connected authors
Patient

62 years, female

Categories
No Area of Interest ; Imaging Technique CT
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Clinical History
The patient had undergone complete mastectomy of the left breast 3 years previously. At follow-up, a painful and localised mass was detected in the upper part of the sternum on clinical examination.
Imaging Findings
The patient underwent mastectomy of the left breast 3 years before. At follow-up, a painful and localised mass was detected in the upper part of the sternum on clinical examination. After conventional x-ray examination, showing an osteolytic lesion, a CT scan was performed.
Discussion
Solitary bone metastases are not a rare finding in breast cancer follow-up. These are found most frequently in the spine, the bone of thorax and the femur neck. The sternum is a rare location for solitary metastasis.

Diagnosis is mainly by nuclear imaging even if, as in this case, the history points clearly to the possibility of a metastasis from breast cancer. Biopsy confirms the nature of the osteolytic mass.

Differential Diagnosis List
Osteolytic metastasis from breast cancer
Final Diagnosis
Osteolytic metastasis from breast cancer
Case information
URL: https://eurorad.org/case/1329
DOI: 10.1594/EURORAD/CASE.1329
ISSN: 1563-4086
Figure 1

Main features of osteolytic lesion of the sternum

Main features of osteolytic lesion of the sternum
The cranial portion of the body of the sternum shows a dishomogeneous aspect.
Main features of osteolytic lesion of the sternum
A lytic area is displayed in median-paramedian position inside the spongy bone.
Main features of osteolytic lesion of the sternum
The cortical bone appears thinner than usual and the lytic area is enlarged in a caudal slice.
Main features of osteolytic lesion of the sternum
The bone structure is completely destroyed and a lytic lesion appears clear in nodular shape.
Main features of osteolytic lesion of the sternum
A sclerotic region is also present inside the nodular lesion.