Treatment of Pseudoangiomatous Stromal Hyperplasia of the Breast: Implant-Based Reconstruction with a Vascularized Dermal Sling

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) is a benign proliferative lesion of the breast stroma first described in 1986 by Vuitch et al. [1] PASH can present as clinically mimicking various benign or malignant conditions [2]. Patients with tumorous PASH generally present a slow-growing breast mass. On physical examination, patients usually present with a solitary, firm, painless, palpable, well-circumscribed, and freely mobile breast mass [3]. On ultrasonography, they commonly demonstrate a solid, well-circumscribed, homogenous, hypoechoic mass, or sometimes, one with ill-defined borders. Definitive diagnosis of PASH requires histopathologic evaluation [4]. Wide local excision is the recommended treatment when there is large tumorous PASH or histologic confirmation is not performed [1]. The decision on the extent of the operation depends on the size of the mass and clinical symptoms. Some cases with diffuse involvement or recurrence may necessitate mastectomy [5].

Some authors have described the clinical relevance, presentation, pathologic features, and treatment of PASH [1234567]. However, to date no data on the reconstructive method of tumorous PASH of the breast after surgical mastectomy have been published. Therefore, we present our surgical treatment using a mammary implant with a vascularized dermal sling for reconstruction after subcutaneous mastectomy of rapidly growing tumorous PASH of the breast.

IDEA

A 46-year-old-female presented with six-month history of progressive bilateral breast enlargement, a painful sensation, upper extremity pain, and back pain. Upon physical examination, giant movable masses with tenderness of the bilateral breast were palpated. Discoloration and thickened skin were noted (Fig. 1). Ultrasonography showed diffuse skin thickening, increased hypoechoic tubular density and edema throughout the parenchyma of both breasts. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed innumerable enhancing nodules in both breasts (Fig. 2). No axillary or internal mammary lymphadenopathy was noted. Differential diagnoses included inflammatory breast cancer, severe mastitis, and phyllodes tumor. The patient reported a family history of breast cancer. Due to the growth of the lesions, progressive clinical symptoms, and family history, a decision was made to perform bilateral subcutaneous mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.

Fig. 1

Preoperative photograph

Discoloration and thickened skin were noted in the patient with pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia.

Fig. 2

Preoperative imaging findings

The image revealed numerous enhancing nodules in both breasts.

In a standing position, a design for immediate reconstruction was made preoperatively (Fig. 3). A diameter of 4 cm for the new nipple areolar complex was chosen. Under general endotracheal anesthesia, the patient was laid in a supine position. After subcutaneous total mastectomy, subpectoral dissection was performed on the lateral border and inferior origin of the pectoralis major muscle with a Bovie electrocoagulator. We constructed a pocket with the pectoralis major muscle and lower skin flap, which was deepithelized like an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) sling applied in breast reconstruction with a mammary implant (Fig. 4). To prevent the formation of hematoma from the bleeding of the deepithelized skin flap, meticulous hemostasis with electric coagulation was performed, and a hemovac drain was inserted beneath the inferior skin flap. Anatomical mammary implants were inserted; then the upper skin flap was draped and fixed to create a breast mound with the inframammary fold line created from the lower skin flap. The nipple areolar complex was transferred to a new position as a free graft. The patient had excellent cosmetic results postoperatively (Fig. 5). Grossly, the specimens were round and well-circumscribed, measuring 32 cm×27 cm×4 cm each, with the right breast 3,035 g and the left 2,832 g (Fig. 6). The histologic examination revealed characteristic features of diffuse PASH (Fig. 7). The patient underwent follow-up monitoring for 12 months without evidence of recurrence (Fig. 8).

Fig. 3

Operative design

In a standing position, the design was applied to the skin preoperatively. A diameter of 4 cm was chosen for the new nipple areolar complex; the new distance from the mid-clavicle to nipple was 19 cm and that from the nipple to the inframammary fold line was 8 cm.

Fig. 4

Intraoperative photograph

The pocket with the pectoralis major muscle and inferior dermal sling can be seen. The lower skin flap created the new position of the inframammary fold by fixation with a suture, and the deepithelized dermal sling was applied like an acellular dermal matrix sling.

Fig. 5

Immediately postoperative photograph

Implant-based breast reconstruction and a nipple areolar complex free graft were performed.

Fig. 6

Gross appearance of the specimen

The specimens were round and well-circumscribed, measuring 32 cm×27 cm×4 cm each. (A) The specimen from the right breast was 3,035 g and (B) that from the left was 2,832 g.

Fig. 7

Histologic examination following bilateral mastectomy

(A) Low-power view (H&E, ×40): slit-like, anastomosing spaces in dense collagenous stroma around a lobar structure are seen. (B) High-power view (H&E, ×200): connected slits outlined by myofibroblasts with uniform, small flat nuclei at the edges of the spaces resemble endothelial cells.

Fig. 8

Outcome at the 12-month follow-up

Outcome at the 12-month follow-up, without evidence of recurrence.

DISCUSSION

The appropriate treatment for PASH varies. When the lesion is small and asymptomatic, surgical excision is not indicated [4]. If there are suspicious features of malignancy clinically or radiologically, wide local excision is recommended for treatment [6]. For giant tumorous PASH, surgical excision should be performed as the treatment of choice. Some cases with diffuse involvement or multiple recurrences may necessitate mastectomy [7]. Singh et al. [5] noted that after surgical excision, the recurrence rate has been reported to be 15% to 22% of cases. The reasons are known to be the incomplete excision of the PASH or development of new lesions.

In our case, as giant tumorous PASH and a family history of breast cancer were noted, bilateral subcutaneous mastectomy was performed. To reduce the risk of recurrence due to remnant tissue, all of the glandular tissue was resected. The defect was reconstructed with anatomical mammary implants.

ADM is frequently used in implant or expander-based breast reconstruction. A tissue expander or implant is positioned on the subpectoral plane, and the ADM is used for coverage of the lower pole of the breast. There are many reasons for application of an ADM sling in implant-based breast reconstruction [8]. First, the ADM sling produces the natural shape of the breast. Second, the sling defines the position of the inframammary fold. Third, the sling reduces the incidence of capsular contracture. However, ADM is associated with significantly increased cost and is also vulnerable to infection [9]. In our case, because the skin envelope of the breast had redundancy and was sufficiently sized, a de-epithelialized flap (dermal sling) replaced the ADM for coverage of the lower portion of the implant. The deepithelized dermal sling method compensates for the shortcomings of an ADM sling; that is, the sling is a more cost-effective technique in patients who are candidates for ADM in implant-based breast reconstruction. Furthermore, because the implant is covered with a de-epithelialized vascularized dermal sling, the dermal sling is effective against infection.

The pedicle was too long for nipple reconstruction using the inferior or supero-medial pedicled technique; doing so would have endangered the survival of the nipple. Therefore, a full-thickness nipple free graft was performed. The nipple areolar complex was transferred to a new position, which was 8.0 cm superior to the inframammary fold and 19.0 cm inferior to the mid-clavicle. However, since the amount of resected glandular tissue was excessive, the stretched skin was contracted by reducing its weight. As a result, the distance between the mid-clavicle and nipple was underestimated, and postoperatively, the new nipple areolar complex was positioned higher than expected. However, compared to postoperative areolar tattooing, a free nipple graft still produces better cosmetic outcomes, such as a realistic shape and color.

After subcutaneous mastectomy as treatment for tumorous PASH of the breast, the method of implant-based reconstruction using an inferior dermal sling and free nipple graft is reliable and produces excellent cosmetic results, as evidenced by the case we report here.

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