title: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to general surgeon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis, four decades since its first description still remains a disease of dilemma. Correct diagnosis with exclusion of various causes and appropriate treatment with surgery, antibiotics and steroids are the keys to overcome the persisting challenge that lies in management of this dilemmatic disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report 4 cases of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis that were treated in Kannur medical college hospital.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis is uncommon benign breast disease that can be confused with two of the very common breast conditions, breast carcinoma and breast abscess. The management of IGM needs a holistic approach with the surgeon, pathologist and radiologist working in unison to unravel the difficulties that lie in treating this disease and bringing back the smile on patients face.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Kannur Medical College Hospital, Kannur, India.
authors.forename: Santosh C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Gudimani
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Kannur Medical College Hospital, Kannur, India.
authors.forename: Kumar C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Rohit
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Kannur Medical College Hospital, Kannur, India.
authors.forename: V V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Mithun
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kannur Medical College Hospital, Kannur, India.
authors.forename: Chaitra K N
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Gowda
authors.affiliation: Department of Bio-Chemistry, Kannur Medical College Hospital, Kannur, India.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Deepa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D062005:Biopsy, Large-Core Needle; D005260:Female; D058890:Granulomatous Mastitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008408:Mastectomy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis; breast abscess; breast carcinoma; steroids; wide excision