Breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL): a challenging cytological diagnosis with hybrid PET/MRI staging and follow-up

Breast Cancer. 2021 Mar;28(2):527-532. doi: 10.1007/s12282-020-01178-w. Epub 2020 Nov 1.

Abstract

We report a case of a 55-year-old woman with left breast cosmetic augmentation performed 5 years earlier, showing at ultrasound a left small amount of peri-implant effusion suspicious for an anaplastic large cell lymphoma localization. The final diagnosis was obtained by cytology using a small amount of fluid (6 ml). Subsequently, hybrid 18F-FDG PET/MRI was used for pre-operative staging and follow-up. An appropriate management of BIA-ALCL could be obtained even in cases of a small amount of peri-implant effusion, using a comprehensive approach of clinical and imaging evaluation, including PET/MRI as useful and innovative staging imaging technique.

Keywords: BIA-ALCL; Breast cancer; PET/MRI; Peri-implant effusion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Breast Implants*
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cytodiagnosis / methods*
  • Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration / methods
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Mammaplasty / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / methods*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Ultrasonography, Mammary / methods

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18