Plombage Migration Outside the Thoracic Cavity: A Complication of Tuberculosis Treatment

An 80 year-old Mexican-American woman presented to the geriatric medicine clinic to establish care and for evaluation of a rapidly enlarging right breast mass. The mass was first noticed in 2003, and at that time a breast biopsy was not performed. The lesion remained relatively constant in size until December 2007. During the subsequent 3 months, the mass grew to involve most of the right breast. Her past medical history was remarkable for pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis treated by right upper lobe collapse and wax plombage in Mexico in the 1950s. Other details from the operation were unavailable. Her other medical problems included hypertension, early Dementia Alzheimer's Type, and depression.