GADOLINIUM-ENHANCED MRI OF BREAST HAMARTOMA

Hamartoma of the breast is a relatively rare, well-circumscribed benig n breast tumour that lacks a true capsule, and is composed primarily o f dense, fibrous tissue with associated ducts and a variable amount of fat. A typical mammographic finding is a well-delineated, non-homogen eous mass containing mottled densities corresponding to fat, epitheliu m and connective tissue. Ultrasonographically, hamartoma has a well-ci rcumscribed heterogeneous internal echo pattern corresponding to areas of fat and soft tissue components. This is the first original paper t o describe the MRI findings of hamartomas. Mammography and ultrasonogr aphy usually enable a diagnosis of hamartoma; however, gadolinium-DTPA enhanced dynamic MRI is the only method in the preoperative managemen t of atypical hamartomas that allows the exclusion of malignancy elsew here in the breast and hamartoma.