Fat Necrosis

Question 1

What is a fat necrosis?

Answer 1

Rare lesion of the breast that produces a mass. Usually indistinguishable from carcinoma. Commonly seen after fat injections to augment breast size or fill defects.

Trauma is presumed to be the cause
Ecchymosis is generally present

Question 2

General considerations of fat necrosis?

Answer 2

If untreated often mass gradually disappears
Frequently entire mass must be excised to exclude carcinoma
Fat necrosis is common after segmental resection, radiation therapy, or flap reconstruction after mastectomy