Clinical presentation of ductal carcinoma in situ of breast with intraluminal crystalloids: Radiologic-histologic correlation

Intraluminal crystalloids have rarely been described in the breast, particularly in cases with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). We recently encountered a case of DCIS of the breast associated with numerous intraluminal crystalloids. The patient presented with a mass in the right breast, and microcalcifications were detected on screening and diagnostic mammograms; the patient underwent needle biopsies, lumpectomy, and skin-sparing mastectomy. Invasive ductal carcinoma associated with extensive DCIS was diagnosed. Multiple refractile, eosinophilic crystalloids, with variable morphologies including rectangular, triangular and needle-like with sharp borders, were observed within the lumina of DCIS, besides calcium phosphate microcalcifications. We report this case together with a literature review on crystalloid-containing lesions in breast and non-breast tissues. We also studied radiologic findings of these crystalloids using a specimen radiograph.