Fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of tuberculous mastitis.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between granulomas in the breast and tuberculous mastitis.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of 22 breast aspirates that showed epithelioid cell granulomas. The aspirates were reviewed and the cytomorphologic findings summarized.


RESULTS
Aspiration cytology revealed epithelioid cell granulomas along with giant cells, necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltrate. Overall acid-fast bacillus (AFB) positivity was 22.7%. AFB positivity was greater in the presence of necrosis when epithelioid cells were absent.


CONCLUSIONS
In a country like India, the diagnosis of granulomatous mastitis must be made with caution, even in the absence of AFB. Only after a sufficient trial of antituberculosis treatment has been given and the patient fails to respond should an alternative diagnosis be suggested.
Gupta
D
D
Department of Cytology and Gynaecologic Pathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Rajwanshi
A
A
Gupta
S K
SK
Nijhawan
R
R
Saran
R K
RK
Singh
R
R
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015622:Epithelioid Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006099:Granuloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008413:Mastitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014375:Tuberculoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014382:Tuberculosis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology