An unusual case of galactorrhea in a postmenopausal woman complicating breast reduction

Summary Galactorrhea is a relatively common condition, but has rarely been seen following breast reduction surgery. To date there are only seven cases reported in the literature, all in premenopausal women. Postsurgical galactorrhea is a diagnosis of exclusion and differential diagnosis is extensive...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery reconstructive & aesthetic surgery, 2009-04, Vol.62 (4), p.542-546
Main Authors: Majdak-Paredes, E.J, Shafighi, M, During, V, Sterne, G.D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Breast Neoplasms - complications
Breast reduction
Estrogen Replacement Therapy - adverse effects
Female
Galactorrhea
Galactorrhea - etiology
Hormonal replacement therapy
Humans
Intercostal Nerves
Mammaplasty - adverse effects
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Neuroma
Neuroma - complications
Plastic Surgery
Postmenopausal
Postmenopause
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
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Summary:Summary Galactorrhea is a relatively common condition, but has rarely been seen following breast reduction surgery. To date there are only seven cases reported in the literature, all in premenopausal women. Postsurgical galactorrhea is a diagnosis of exclusion and differential diagnosis is extensive. Common causes should be excluded first. We present the case of a 56-year-old postmenopausal woman who underwent bilateral breast reduction and developed galactorrhea 2 months postoperatively. MRI scan of the skull as well as Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), prolactin levels were normal. She was on long-term hormonal replacement therapy. Because of suspected nerve-related pain in her right breast she was commenced on amitriptyline. We hypothesise that galactorrhea may have been caused by underlying neuroma or irritation of the anterior branch of the T4 intercostal nerve or hormonal replacement therapy or a combination of both.
ISSN:1748-6815
1878-0539
DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2007.10.019