Injuries of the breast Haematoma

Injuries of the breast Haematoma

Haematoma, particularly a resolving haematoma, gives rise to a lump that, in the absence of overlying bruising, is di ffi cult to diagnose correctly unless it is biopsied. Traumatic fat necrosis may be acute or chronic and usually occurs in stout, middle-aged women. Following a blow , a lump, which is often painless, appears. This may mimic a carcinoma, even displaying skin tethering and nipple retraction; biopsy is required for diagnosis. A history of trauma is not diagnostic as this may merely have drawn the patient’s attention to a pre-existing lump. In a road tra ffi c accident, a seatbelt may transect or avulse the breast o ff the underlying pectoral muscles owing to a sudden deceleration injury .