Giant breast cyst in an adolescent girl: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cysts are common in the adult female population, but are rarely reported in children. We here report the case of a young adolescent girl presenting with a large breast cyst who required cystectomy to prevent permanent skin damage. Case presentation: We describe the case of a 13 year-old girl presenting with a large solitary breast cyst. Due to its size, the cyst caused a significant and visible bulge leading to a shape change of the breast and an increasing awareness of this change by the patient. Repeated aspirations were undertaken which, however, could not resolve the patient's symptoms permanently. With time, the skin overlying the cyst became increasingly attenuated and thinned. When the skin started to become discoloured, surgery was offered in the form of a cystectomy to prevent permanent skin damage. Following cystectomy, the breast returned to its normal shape and the skin changes improved. Conclusion: Assessment of a patient with an adolescent breast cyst should involve a gynaecological history and a hormone profile in girls reporting menstrual irregularities. Surgery should be reserved for selected patients and only in the late stages of breast development and with consideration of cosmesis with regards to scar placement and blunt dissection supporting skin recovery in patients with evolving skin changes.

Keywords

• Case report
• Breast cyst
• Adolescence
• Paediatric
• Surgery