An axillary mass in the postpartum period: accessory breast tissue confirmed by ultrasonography and milk aspiration: a case report

Abstract

Accessory breast tissue is a congenital anomaly defined by the presence of more than two glandular breast tissues in addition to the normally developed breasts. This ectopic breast tissue may remain clinically silent for long periods; however, it can become symptomatic due to hormonal influences, particularly during pregnancy, lactation, or menstrual cycles, as it undergoes physiological changes similar to those observed in normal breast tissue. These changes may lead to localized swelling, pain, or discomfort, most commonly in the axillary region. In this report, we describe the case of a 32-year-old woman who presented to our clinic with a unilateral axillary swelling that developed after her second delivery. The clinical presentation, along with the patient’s obstetric history, raised suspicion of accessory breast tissue. This case highlights the importance of considering accessory breast tissue in the differential diagnosis of axillary masses, especially in women of reproductive age presenting during hormonally active periods.