Postpartum Galactostasis of the Vulva in a Case of Bilateral Lactating Ectopic Breast Tissue

Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Jul;134(1):138-140. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003313.

Abstract

Background: In the general population, the incidence of accessory breast tissue, a congenital malformation, is 1-5%. The most common site is the lower axilla. Detecting such tissue may be problematic, and accessory breasts below the umbilicus are extremely rare.

Case: This report describes the case of a 5-day postpartum 29-year-old woman, G2P2, with painful vulvar swelling 6 cm in diameter. The patient was diagnosed with polymastia in the vulva, without polythelia, with galactostasis due to suturing of a birth laceration covering an excretory duct. The sutures were removed, and the pain decreased. Breastfeeding was continued.

Conclusion: Ectopic breast tissue is rare but should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of a vulvar mass, especially postpartum in lactating women.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breast*
  • Choristoma / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lactation*
  • Perinatal Care*
  • Pregnancy
  • Puerperal Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Vulvar Diseases / diagnosis*