ISSN : 2663-2187

Diagnosis and management of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis : A retrospective-prospective case series

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Sherif Mohamed Bakeer , Abdullah Badway Abdullah , Ahmed Ali Abdulmutallab
ยป doi: 10.33472/AFJBS.6.9.2024.2226-2235

Abstract

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare benign chronic inflammatory breast pathology that poses a challenge in its diagnosis and treatment for the majority of breast surgeons. Little has been described regarding that disease in the Egyptian setting. Herein, we describe our experience regarding the management and outcomes of IGM in our tertiary surgical setting. Patients and methods: Fifteen patients diagnosed with IGM were enrolled in our case series. Data regarding their history, presentation, management, and short-term outcomes were collected. Results: All patients were parous, with an age ranging between 36 and 56 years. Contraception use was reported by four women (26.7%). Most patients had a breast lump (86.7%), while skin changes were detected in 73.3% of them. Additional presentations included pain (53.3%) and sinus formation (20%). Bilateral involvement was present in two women (13.3%). Ultrasonographic assessment revealed a mass, an abscess, and parenchymal heterogenicity in 73.3%, 46.7%, and 26.7% of patients, respectively. Most patients (60%) were managed with combined surgery and steroids, while the remaining patients had either surgery (20%) or steroid therapy (20%). The mean resolution time was 5.13 months, with a short-term recurrence rate of 13.33% (13.3%). One patient was managed by surgery, while the other one received steroid therapy. Conclusion: IGM remains challenging to diagnose because of its similarities with breast malignancy. Both steroid therapy and surgery are effective in the management of that pathology when suited for every patient, with a low recurrence rate in the short term (13.3%).

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