Xanthogranulomatous Mastitis
Xanthogranulomatous mastitis is an uncommon finding. It is typically found in adult females in the 2nd-7th decades. It is characterized by the presence of multi-nucleated giant cells, lipid-laden macrophages (also called xanthoma cells or foamy histiocytes) and cholesterol crystals. The xanthoma cells have characteristic postive CD-68 staining but are negative for cytokeratin. The etiology is unknown. Cases are usually picked up on routine mammographic exams.
Contributed by Ralph Sams, MD and Shamlal Mangray, MD