Chronic Expanding Hematoma on the Chest Wall after Mastectomy.

A 78-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a few years' history of a gradually growing mass on her right chest. She had received right mastectomy and radiotherapy for breast cancer 23 years earlier.

Computed tomography showed a homogeneous 9.5×4.4-cm mass on her right chest (Picture 1). The mean attenuation value of the mass was about 50 Hounsfield units. Some calcifications were found at the periphery of the mass. The ribs were pressed but had not been invaded. The lesion was surgically resected and diagnosed as a hematoma histopathologically (Picture 2, 3).

Picture 1.

Picture 2.

Picture 3.

Chronic expanding hematoma (CEH) of the chest is rare. Most CEH of the chest exist in the thoracic cavity, and patients usually have a history of tuberculosis, pneumothorax, or injury (1). CEH after breast augmentation has been reported (2); however, to our knowledge, this is the first report of CEH arising on the chest wall after mastectomy.

The authors state that they have no Conflict of Interest (COI).