Cutaneous caves and subcutaneous adipose columns in the breast: radiologic-pathologic correlation.

[PURPOSE] To investigate the histologic correlations of the innumerable 2-3-mm radiolucencies that project over the breast, as seen on mammograms.

[MATERIALS AND METHODS] With institutional review board approval and HIPAA compliance, this work involved detailed x-ray imaging of discarded tissue from two mastectomy specimens, together with histologic examination of the skin and subcutaneous fat and evaluation of the skin during reduction mammoplasty surgery in two patients.

[RESULTS] Comparison of the histologic findings with the findings on x-ray images demonstrated that the lucencies seen by using mammography are cutaneous caves in the underside of the dermis into which insert columns of fat projecting up from the subcutaneous adipose tissue. This finding was confirmed with evaluation of the skin during reduction surgery.

[CONCLUSION] As far as is known, this is the first description of a complex of anatomic structures that explain radiolucencies evident by using mammography.