A 34-year-old woman notices a tender, cord-like band running vertically across the lower outer quadrant of her left breast toward the epigastrium after carrying heavy luggage. There is no mass, and the overlying skin is normal. What is the diagnosis?

• A Tietze syndrome
• B Phlebitis of the cephalic vein
• C Mondor's disease ✓
• D Fibromuscular dysplasia of the internal mammary artery

Explanation

Mondor's disease is a self-limiting superficial thrombophlebitis of the thoracoepigastric or lateral thoracic vein, presenting as a tender cord-like band on the breast or chest wall, often after strain, trauma or vigorous exercise. It resolves spontaneously within weeks and needs only analgesia and reassurance. The cephalic vein lies in the deltopectoral groove, Tietze syndrome causes costochondral swelling, and arterial pathology would not produce a superficial tender cord.

Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.