[Granulomatous mastitis: a rare cause of breast swelling].

Abstract

Three women, aged 37, 39 and 29 years, presented with unilateral painful swelling of the breast. Ultrasound revealed inflammation with abscess formation. Histological biopsies contained granulomatous tissue without necrosis. Corynebacterium species were cultured in the first two patients. All 3 patients were diagnosed with granulomatous mastitis and were successfully treated with doxycycline. Granulomatous mastitis is a rare disorder that may mimic breast carcinoma. It occurs most frequently in fertile women. Diagnosis is based on histological biopsy which shows granulomas without necrosis, while other causes of granulomatous inflammation, especially tuberculosis, have been excluded. The aetiology is not fully understood. It is hypothesised that the granulomatous mastitis is caused by a type IV allergic reaction. Recently an association with Corynebacterium species was suggested. Best practice treatment methods are unclear. Most patients are treated with surgical intervention and steroids, but the rate of recurrence is high (50%). Treatment with doxycycline must be considered in patients with cultured Corynebacterium species.

• Authors: J C Regelink, M K Bomers, E Barbé, M N Weimann, E P Steller, J Veenstra
• Journal: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd) Vol. 151 Issue 46 Pg. 2545-50 (Nov 17 2007) ISSN: 0028-2162 [Print] Netherlands
• Vernacular Title: Een zeldzame oorzaak van een mammagezwel: granulomateuze mastitis.
• PMID: 18074720 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Doxycycline

Topics

• Adult
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Corynebacterium (isolation & purification)
• Corynebacterium Infections (drug therapy, pathology)
• Doxycycline (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Granuloma (drug therapy, microbiology, pathology)
• Humans
• Mastitis (drug therapy, microbiology, pathology)
• Recurrence
• Treatment Outcome