title: Breast tuberculosis at a tertiary care centre: a retrospective analysis of 22 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast tuberculosis is an uncommon condition with varied presentations. The incidence is low even in the endemic zone. The disease is common in young female and lactating females.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the clinical spectrum of breast tuberculosis patients, their diagnosis and management at a tertiary care centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  22 diagnosed cases of breast tuberculosis presented over last seven years were studied retrospectively at a tertiary care centre.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Majority of patients in our study belongs to 20-40 yrs. Disease is common with lactation. Most common presentation is in form of breast lump, commonly in UOQ. Once diagnosed is confirmed through different investigations, patients were put on ATT. Surgery is limited for resistant or residual mass in breast or axilla.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Awareness about this disease entity is of prime importance especially in endemic areas for the prompt diagnosis and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Megha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tandon
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, India.
authors.lastname: Chintamani
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Panwar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: AFB (Acid fast bacillus); ATT (Anti-tubercular therapy); Breast tuberculosis; DOTS (Directly observed treatment short course); FNAC (Fine needle aspiration cytology); HRZ/HR (H=Isoniazid, R=Rifampicin, Z=Pyrazinamide); PCR (Polymerase chain reaction)