Granulomatous mastitis: Presentations, diagnosis, treatment and outcome in 206 patients from the north of Iran

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to review the clinical presentations, diagnostic methods, treatment options and outcome of patients with Granulomatous Mastitis (GM).

Material and methods: In a retrospective study, we indentified 206 women who met the required histological criteria of (GM).

Results: Thirty eight (18%) of these women had taken antibiotics before their diagnosis of GM. The most common symptoms in remaining 168 symptomatic women were breast mass. The most common ultrasonographic and mammographic finding was large irregular hypo echoic masses and an irregular mass, respectively. As a diagnostic tool, fine needle aspiration (FNA) was performed in 33 (19.5%) and core needle biopsy with or without ultrasound was done in 92 (55%) of patients while successful rate was 13 (39%) and 87 (94.5%), respectively. The remaining 43 (25.5%) of women underwent surgical excisions. Only 6 (3%) patients improved with antibiotics and 200 (97%) of women who did not respond to antibiotics, were treated with steroid and among them 144 (72%) improved. Treatment with combination of methotrexate and steroid was done in 56 (28%) patients and was effective in 40 (71%) of them. Sixteen (8%) patients were treated with a combination of steroid and bromocriptine which was effective in 5 (31%) patients. A wide surgical excision was performed in 11 (5.5%) patients who were nonresponsive to steroid and methotrexate and bromocriptine therapy.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that clinical and imaging findings of (GM) have overlapped with malignancy. The best diagnostic method is core needle biopsy. Corticosteroids are in the first line of treatment with a good therapeutic response.

Keywords: Breast; Core needle biopsy; Corticosteroid therapy; Granulomatous mastitis; Methotrexate.