Paraffinomas of the breast or oleogranulomatous mastitis-a rare entity

Breast augmentation with the injection of a high-viscosity fluid has been practiced in the past, especially in Asia, resulting in most cases in different varieties of paraffinoma, alternatively known as oleogranulomatous mastitis, a complication of a 'foreign body' reaction type. We report our series of four consecutive cases of destructive paraffinomas that occurred in female patients who had had paraffin injection for cosmetic reasons. Complications due to paraffinoma reactions of breast tissue and skin, as well as progression of the disease and treatment of our patients, are presented here, together with a review of the relevant literature.