A 32-year-old woman notices a tender, cord-like structure in the outer quadrant of the right breast extending toward the axilla. Examination reveals a firm subcutaneous band without any breast lump. What is the most likely diagnosis?

• A Fat necrosis following minor trauma
• B Thrombophlebitis of the thoracoepigastric vein (Mondor's disease) ✓
• C Cystic lymphangioma of the breast
• D Thrombosis of the lateral thoracic artery

Explanation

Mondor's disease is a superficial thrombophlebitis of the thoracoepigastric vein presenting as a painful, cord-like band in the breast or anterior chest wall, often provoked by trauma, vigorous exercise, or surgery. It is benign and self-limiting, resolving within weeks with analgesia. Fat necrosis presents as a discrete lump rather than a cord, and the lateral thoracic artery is a deep vessel that cannot produce a palpable subcutaneous band.

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.