Spontaneous breast hematoma as a complication of anticoagulation therapy requiring angiography and embolization

• Published in: Clinical imaging Vol. 69; pp. 169 - 171
• Main Authors: Dunlap, Robert, Kisner, Carson, Georgiades, Christos S., Demmert, Andrew, Lyons, Gray R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.01.2021; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Anemia; Angiography; Anticoagulants; Anticoagulants - adverse effects; Breast; Breast - diagnostic imaging; Breast hematoma; Embolization; Embolization, Therapeutic - adverse effects; Gelatin; Hematoma; Hematoma - chemically induced; Hematoma - diagnostic imaging; Hemoglobin; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypotension; Medical imaging; Radiology; Veins & arteries; Angiography; Embolization; Breast hematoma
• ISSN: 0899-7071; 1873-4499
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2020.07.023

Spontaneous breast hematoma is a rare complication of therapeutic anticoagulation therapy with few cases reported in the literature. We present a case of spontaneous breast hematoma resulting in hypotension and symptomatic anemia. Angiography demonstrated multiple sites of hemorrhage within the breast, which was treated with gelatin sponge embolization. This case highlights the role of interventional radiology in the treatment of breast hematoma, as well as reviews the arterial vascular anatomy of the breast. •Spontaneous breast hematoma is a rare complication of anticoagulation therapy.•Angiography was performed for symptomatic, multi-focal breast hemorrhage, which was treated with gelatin sponge embolization.•Arteries supplying the breast include: internal mammary , superior thoracic , pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial , and lateral thoracic .