J Breast Cancer.  2012 Jun;15(2):255-257. 10.4048/jbc.2012.15.2.255.

MRI Findings of Large Low-Grade Angiosarcoma of the Breast with Subsequent Bone Metastases: A Case Report

• Cucci E
• Ciuffreda
• Tambaro R
• Aquilani L
• Barrassi M
• Sallustio

• KMID: 2242203
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4048/jbc.2012.15.2.255

Abstract

We describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of 13 cm-sized low-grade angiosarcoma of the breast that occurred in a 23-year-old woman. Magnetic resonance examination revealed an ill-defined mass with marked high-signal intensity on T2-weighted images and persistent heterogeneous enhancement. Thirty months later she developed bone metastases, incidentally found on an MRI performed to evaluate the pelvis. There were well-defined bone lesions with high-signal intensity on T2-weighted images and persistent contrast enhancement on delayed phases. The metastases were not detected on previous computed tomography and fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans because the lesions were subtle osteoblastic type with a low proliferative index.

Keyword

Angiosarcoma; Breast; Magnetic resonance imaging; Recurrence

MeSH Terms

Breast
Breast Neoplasms
Female
Hemangiosarcoma
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Neoplasm Metastasis
Osteoblasts
Pelvis
Positron-Emission Tomography
Recurrence
Young Adult
Breast Neoplasms
Hemangiosarcoma

Figure

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  Figure 1 A low-grade angiosarcoma in a 23-year-old woman with increasing size and discomfort of the right breast. (A) Axial T2-weighted fast spin-echo magnetic resonance image shows a marked high-signal intensity mass of the right breast, mainly in the outer quadrants. (B, C) Dynamic sagittal 3D Vibrant early- (B) and late- (C) phase images show persistent heterogeneous enhancement of the mass. (D) Post-contrast computed tomography image shows suspicious right retroperitoneal pelvic lymph node (arrow). (E, F) Axial T2-weighted fast spin-echo fat saturation images confirmed retroperitoneal lymph node (E, arrow) and revealed well-defined high-signal intensity bone lesions (F). (G) Axial 3D-Liver Acquisition with Volume Acceleration images obtained late after intravenous contrast administration. The bone lesions show persistent contrast enhancement on delayed phases, suggestive of metastases.

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