Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Intramuscular lipomas of the pectoralis major muscle are rare and may mimic malignant breast tumours.
CLINICAL PICTURE:
A 58-year-old Chinese woman presented with a 2- year history of an enlarging left breast mass. Clinical examination revealed a palpable hard mass in the left breast.
TREATMENT:
Standard mammographic views revealed a radiolucent mass deep in the left pectoralis major muscle. The mass was homogeneously hypoechoic with smooth margins on ultrasound.
OUTCOME:
Surgical excision of the mass was performed. Histological diagnosis was an intramuscular lipoma of the left pectoralis major muscle.
CONCLUSIONS:
Recognition of the radiolucent density and submammary location of a pectoralis major muscle lipoma is important as it allows the correct diagnosis to be made.