Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis and cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis: two sides of the same coin or distinct entities?

Construction of a Multi-Indicator Model for Abscess Prediction in Granulomatous Lobular Mastitis Using Inflammatory Indicators

Background

Granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) is a chronic inflammatory breast disease, and abscess formation is a common complication of GLM. The process of abscess formation is accompanied by changes in multiple inflammatory markers. The present study aimed to construct a diagnosis model for the early of GLM abscess formation based on multiple inflammatory parameters.

Methods

Based on the presence or absence of abscess formation on breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 126 patients with GLM were categorised into an abscess group (85 patients) and a non-abscess group (41 patients). Demographic characteristics and the related laboratory results for the 9 inflammatory markers were collected. Logistics univariate analysis and collinearity test were used for selecting independent variables. A regression model to predict abscess formation was constructed using Logistics multivariate analysis.

Results

The univariate and multivariate analysis showed that the N, ESR, IL-4, IL-10 and INF-α were independent diagnostic factors of abscess formation in GLM (P<0. 05). The nomogram was drawn on the basis of the logistics regression model. The area under the curve (AUC) of the model was 0.890, which was significantly better than that of a single indicator and the sensitivity and specificity of the model were high (81.2% and 85.40%, respectively). These results predicted by the model were highly consistent with the actual diagnostic results. The results of this calibration curve indicated that the model had a good value and stability in predicting abscess formation in GLM. The decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated a satisfactory positive net benefit of the model.

Conclusion

A predictive model for abscess formation in GLM based on inflammatory markers was constructed in our study, which may provide a new strategy for early diagnosis and treatment of the abscess stage of GLM.

Cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis: A case report and review of the literature

The present study describes a case of cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis. The clinical and radiological findings of the patient were consistent with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. Cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis is a rare subtype of mastitis with a distinct histological pattern that is associated with the Corynebacterium species. The diagnosis and treatment of cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis remains a significant challenge due to the scarcity of available data. The present study describes a classic case of cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis that includes clinical, radiological and histopathological findings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case documenting radiological findings before and after treatment. This report encourages the consideration of this entity in the differential diagnoses of mastitis.