Sternalis muscle

Case contributed by Kostas Boutsiadis
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Routine screening mammography.

Patient Data

Age: 50
Gender: Female

CC view

mammography

Mass-like, asymmetric opacity at the medial posterior edge of the breast on the left CC projection. 

Case Discussion

The sternalis muscle is a normal anatomic variant of the chest wall. Mostly it appears on medial posterior edge of the breast on CC views, but may also be detected on MLO projections. It is mostly unilateral (in 70%.) Has varying shapes, contours and sizes and may mimic a mass lesion on mammogram. Knowledge of anatomy and mammographic appearance is important for avoiding confusion with a malignant lesion.

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