Breast pseudoaneurysm following chest wall loop recorder removal

Abstract

Iatrogenic injury may lead to imaging findings mimicking malignancy or pathologies requiring emergent management when read out of context. This case report follows a 65-year-old female patient who was called back from screening mammography for a newly identified left breast mass. The patient had undergone recent removal of a left chest implantable loop recorder. On further workup, the lesion was identified as a breast pseudoaneurysm related to iatrogenic injury from prior loop recorder removal. The patient subsequently underwent percutaneous thrombin injection with interventional radiology leading to resolution of the pseudoaneurysm. This case highlights the rare incidence of breast pseudoaneurysms and emphasizes the importance of considering surgical history/iatrogenic etiology when evaluating breast masses. This will help avoid unnecessary exams and procedures leading to false positives and patient discomfort and anxiety.