Primary tuberculosis of the breast in Qatar: ten year experience and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
To present our experience of isolated tuberculosis of the breast, 1988-98.


METHODS
Retrospective study of case notes and radiographs.


METHODS
Hamad General Hospital, Qatar.


METHODS
13 multiparous women with tuberculosis of the breast.


METHODS
Objective confirmation of diagnosis and adequacy of treatment.


RESULTS
We found an overall incidence of histologically confirmed tuberculosis to be 0.4%/year. All patients presented with a lump, 2 had nipple discharge and one had a palpable axillary node on the same side. 7 were treated by excision biopsy, 3 by incision and drainage, and 3 had fine needle aspiration (FNA) as their only procedure. All diagnoses were confirmed histologically. 2 patients developed recurrences during treatment but these were successfully treated.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the incidence of the disease is low, the diagnosis should be suspected in young multiparous women with a breast lump in whom malignancy has been excluded. The minimum of surgical intervention (incision or excision biopsy) together with antituberculous drugs seems to be the most successful treatment.
Al-Marri
M R
MR
Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Qatar Armed Forces Medical Unit, Hamad General Hospital, Doha.
Almosleh
A
A
Almoslmani
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008413:Mastitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D010298:Parity; D011780:Qatar / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy