Ozone therapy restores immune dysfunction in refractory idiopathic granulomatous mastitis as a novel potential therapeutic approach

Imiquimod as a new treatment in refractory idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: report of two cases

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare chronic inflammatory lesion of the breast that mimics breast cancer or infection. Immunological pathogenesis is strongly suggested for the disease.

REASON FOR THE REPORT

The treatment remains controversial, comprising a spectrum from observation or NSAIDs to immunosuppressive agents and surgery. Intractable cases are not uncommon and represent a major treatment challenge. Therefore in this study, we examine the effect of a topical immunomodulator agent, imiquimod, on refractory IGM. Patient 1 had IGM for 9 months and had not responded to the existing treatments. She responded to a 7-week course of imiquimod. In patient 2, the disease had begun 4 months sooner and had been resistant to all treatments; it responded to imiquimod after 4 weeks. Ulcers appeared on the skin of both patients but resolved safely.

OUTCOME

Both patients were very satisfied with the results. Imiquimod can be an appropriate local treatment with limited adverse effects in refractory IGM. We propose similar studies to assess the efficacy of imiquimod in IGM further, paying attention to the possibility of developing skin wounds.

Local steroid injection in severe idiopathic granulomatous mastitis as a new first-line treatment modality with promising therapeutic efficacy

Background

Intralesional steroid injection has recently evolved as a novel treatment modality for localized idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (= IGM). We aimed to explore the therapeutic efficacy of local steroid injections (LSI) in patients with severe IGM.

Methods

Fifty-one patients diagnosed with severe IGM were included in the study and treated with either local steroid injection (LSI) alone (n = 25) or combined LSI with systemic oral steroid treatment (OST) (n = 26). The local steroid injection protocol included an intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection into the palpable granulomas every 4-week, and topical administration of steroid-containing pomades twice a day on the affected surface of the breast. Patients with a combined LSI and OST received low-dose oral methylprednisolone (<16 mg).

Results

Patients with LSI alone required more LSI applications than those in the combined LSI with OST group (LSI: 5 ± 2.9; vs. LSI/OST: 3.5 ± 2.5; p = 0.080) to obtain an effective optimum therapeutic response. At a median of 12 months (range, 4-42), no difference was found in complete response rates between patients in the LSI group and the combined LSI group with OST (52 vs. 53.9%, p = 0.999). However, steroid-related systemic side effects were lower in the LSI alone group (p < 0.008).

Conclusion

Local steroid injection could be considered as the first-line treatment in patients with severe IGM until a therapeutic response has been obtained either as the sole treatment modality or combined with oral steroids. Compared with systemic oral steroid therapy, local steroid administration can be considered a new treatment modality with fewer side effects.

Ozone therapy as a novel complementary therapeutic approach in refractory idiopathic granulomatous mastitis

Background

Autoimmunity may play a major role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM). The therapeutic potential of ozone therapy has recently been shown in rheumatological diseases, and this study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of ozone therapy (OT) in refractory IGM.

Methods

Patients with biopsy-verified IGM and incomplete response after steroid therapy (n = 47) between 2018 and 2021 were enrolled. Of these, 23 cases in cohort A had standard treatment with further steroid therapy (ST), and 24 were treated with systemic OT via autohemotherapy (AHT) in addition to steroid therapy (cohort B).

Results

The median age was 33 years (range, 24-45). Patients in cohort B had a higher complete response rate after completion of a four-month ozone therapy than those in the ST-group (OT-group, 37.5% vs. ST-group, 0%; p = 0.002). At a median follow-up of 12 months (range, 12-35), the patients treated with OT had a lower one-year recurrence in the affected breast than cases in cohort A treated with ST (OT-group, 21% vs. ST-group, 70%; p = 0.001). No significant side effects were observed in patients in cohort B related to AHT. Furthermore, OT significantly decreased the total steroid treatment duration (median week of steroid use; 26  weeks in cohort A vs. 12 weeks in cohort B; p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Systemic OT increases the complete response rate and decreases the duration of steroid treatment in patients with refractory IGM. Therefore, ozone therapy is an effective, well-tolerated, and safe novel complementary therapeutic modality.