Breast hematoma complicating anticoagulant therapy: Management and literature review

Article type: Case Report

Authors: Salemis, Nikolaos S.

Affiliations: Breast Cancer Surgery Unit, Army General Hospital, 19 Taxiarhon Street, 19014 Kapandriti, Athens, Greece. E-mail: nikos_salemis@hotmail.com

Abstract: Anticoagulant-induced spontaneous breast hematoma is a very rare clinical entity with only a few cases reported in the literature so far. We describe a case of a spontaneous breast hematoma in a female patient under combined oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy. Physicians should be aware of this possibility in patients under anticoagulant treatment presenting with sudden onset of breast pain and a palpable mass. Repeat imaging is mandatory until complete clinical and imaging resolution of the hematoma. If an abnormality persists, further investigation is needed to exclude an underlying malignancy.

Keywords: Breast, hematoma, anticoagulants

DOI: 10.3233/BD-130344

Journal: Breast Disease, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 25-28, 2013