Granulomatous mastitis in pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Granulomatous mastitis, a rare, benign breast condition characterized by granulomas and abscess formation, is mistaken frequently for inflammatory breast carcinoma. Although it has been reported in reproductive-age women, it is unusual in pregnancy.


METHODS
A 25-year-old black gravida 4 para 2 developed a tender, indurated 20 x 15 x 15 cm multilobulated breast mass at 17 weeks' gestation. After not responding to antibiotics and incisional drainage, the biopsy-proved granulomatous mastitis improved with corticosteroid treatment. A postpartum recurrence also responded to steroid therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Granulomatous mastitis is diagnosed clinically and histologically. Early recognition and initiation of steroid treatment might prevent repetitive, deforming breast biopsies.
Goldberg
J
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Baute
L
L
Storey
L
L
Park
P
P
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006099:Granuloma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008413:Mastitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011241:Prednisone