title: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis-utility of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in preventing unnecessary surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Granulomatous mastitis is a benign disorder which closely mimics malignancy clinico-radiologically. A simple and cost effective modality like fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) can help in prompt diagnosis and avoid unnecessary surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study where data were collected for granulomatous lesions of the breast diagnosed by histopathology in a five year period and review of FNAC slides. Cases positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis either on ZN stain or Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fungus were excluded. A total of 8 cases were included in our study for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the cases showed the presence of granuloma composed of epithelioid histiocytes against a background of giant cells, polymorphs with absence of necrosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cytological diagnosis of granulomatous mastitis is difficult as it overlaps with other etiologies like tuberculosis which is prevalent in this part of the world. However, with the use of ancillary techniques like PCR and negative microbiological investigations, a definitive diagnosis can be made.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, North Bengal Medical College & Hospital, Sushrutanagar, Darjeeling, India.
authors.forename: Mimi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gangopadhyay
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, North Bengal Medical College & Hospital, Sushrutanagar, Darjeeling, India.
authors.forename: Anuradha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, North Bengal Medical College & Hospital, Sushrutanagar, Darjeeling, India.
authors.forename: Indranil
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chakrabarti
authors.affiliation: Department of Gyneclogy & Obstetrics, North Bengal Medical College & Hospital, Sushrutanagar, Darjeeling, India.
authors.forename: Sailesh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, North Bengal Medical College & Hospital, Sushrutanagar, Darjeeling, India.
authors.forename: Amita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giri
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, North Bengal Medical College & Hospital, Sushrutanagar, Darjeeling, India.
authors.forename: Rinki
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Das
keywords: Granulomatous mastitis; fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)