A Novel Treatment for Microthrombosis of the Breast

Breast veins typically lack valves and anastomoses of the intramammary veins are common. Since the breast is such a well perfused structure, it is vulnerable to vascular disorders including atherosclerosis, true and pseudoaneurysms, and collateral venous flow. 1 Atherosclerosis in the breast is commonly encountered upon mammography in post-menopausal women. Congestive heart failure may lead to bilateral venous congestion in the breasts. 2 Another vascular disorder of the breast includes superficial thrombophlebitis of the breast, also known as Mondor disease. Mondor disease presents with focal pain and palpable superficial veins or “cords” often with overlying skin discoloration. 4 Ultrasound reveals a noncompressible, beaded structure signifying the thrombosed vein, and a lack of internal color on doppler flow. 2 This patient’s presentation was not typical of the common vascular/hematology breast conditions.