Ultrasound Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Lumps after Breast Augmentation with Autologous Fat Grafting

BACKGROUND: Breast augmentation with autologous fat has been performed in Japan for over 30 years. However, complications include breast lumps and oil cysts. Such breast lumps greatly reduce patient satisfaction, and are currently difficult to diagnose and treat for many cosmetic surgery clinics. This study aimed to elucidate the effectiveness of ultrasound diagnosis and treatment of patients with breast lumps after breast augmentation with autologous fat grafting. METHODS: We used diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound to examine 256 patients with breast lumps between April 2012 and April 2017. We determined the nature, size, and location of the maximal lump. Breast lumps were classified into five types: cystic, complex, solid, calcification, and unclassifiable. The method of treatment (including fine-needle aspiration, VASER liposuction, lumpectomy, and extended lumpectomy) was selected according to the lump type, and the efficacy of treatment was determined by postoperative palpation and ultrasound. RESULTS: A total of 198 patients (198/256, 77%) requested treatment. Cystic lumps (79/256, 31%) were treated by fine-needle aspiration. VASER liposuction was used to treat complex (64/256, 25%) and solid lumps (50/256, 19%). Calcification (58/256, 23%) and unclassifiable lumps (5/256, 2%) were removed via periareolar incision. There were no serious complications. In all cases, the lumps were no longer palpable after treatment, and ultrasound showed that they had either contracted or disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: The appropriate treatment for breast lumps after breast augmentation with autologous fat grafting must be selected according to the nature of the lumps. Ultrasound is essential for diagnosing the breast lump type and determining the best treatment.