Ectopic breast tissue in a morbidly obese patient. A case report

Background: Accessory breast tissue may appear as a mass at anywhere along the embryologic ‘mammary streak’. We present a case of axillary breast tissue in a morbidly obese patient. Although axillary breast is congenital in origin, enlargement is often associated with hormonal surges such as menarche or pregnancy. In this case it is possible to establish a causal relationship between the morbid obesity of our patient and the marked development of the axillary glands. Traditional liposuction is not very effective at treating symptoms of axillary breast, because it is difficult to remove the tough breast tissue, the need to protect nerve and blood vessels, and the difficulty in applying pressure dressings. Open surgery is the best option for most patients, with relatively limited liposuction used only for contouring.

Keywords: Axillary breast tissue, ectopic breast tissue.