Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: a rare entity with a variable presentation.
BACKGROUND
Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare, chronic benign breast disease which may mimic a breast abscess or malignancy. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, and requires a high index of suspicion. Most patients present in the third or fourth decade of life.


METHODS
We present a case series of IGM with varied presentation, as a non-resolving abscess and as a lump, clinically appearing to be malignant. Patients required repeated drainage and/or lumpectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Although IGM is considered to be autoimmune in aetiology, however other infectious aetiologies causing granulomatous mastitis and malignancy have to be ruled out by histopathology. In the event of relapse immunosuppression may be required.
Oncoplastic Breast Unit, Mazumdar-Shaw Cancer Center,NH Multispeciality Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
C U
CU
Poovamma
Oncoplastic Breast Unit, Mazumdar-Shaw Cancer Center,NH Multispeciality Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
V Anthony
VA
Pais
Oncoplastic Breast Unit, Mazumdar-Shaw Cancer Center,NH Multispeciality Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Shilpy Chauhan
SC
Dolas
Oncoplastic Breast Unit, Mazumdar-Shaw Cancer Center,NH Multispeciality Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
M
M
Prema
Oncoplastic Breast Unit, Mazumdar-Shaw Cancer Center,NH Multispeciality Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Rohan
R
Khandelwal
Department of Pathology, NH Multispeciality Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
R
R
Nisheena
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D058890:Granulomatous Mastitis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans
Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis; breast