Paraffinomas of the breast: Mammographic, ultrasonographic and radiographic appearances with clinical and histopathological correlation

Paraffinomas are uncommon lesions occasionally encountered in the breast. The clinical and radiological (mammographic, ultrasound and plain film) features are presented in five patients with breast paraffinomas, one of whom had synchronous infiltrative ductal carcinoma. Histopathological correlation was available in two patients. Women with a history of paraffin injections into the breast may present decades later with hard, nodular breast masses simulating breast cancer. Dense fibrosis particularly in the retroglandular midbreast region causing streaky opacities and bizarre architectural distortion on mammography suggests the diagnosis. Flocculent, amorphous, ring or rounded calcifications may also be present within the breast and axilla. Migration of liquid paraffin through the tissue planes can result in diffuse conglomerate calcification in the chest and abdominal walls.