Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis: Diagnostic strategy and therapeutic implications in Omani patients

Genomic Insights into Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis through Whole-Exome Sequencing: A Case Report of Eight Patients

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare condition characterised by chronic inflammation and granuloma formation in the breast. The aetiology of IGM is unclear. By focusing on the protein-coding regions of the genome, where most disease-related mutations often occur, whole-exome sequencing (WES) is a powerful approach for investigating rare and complex conditions, like IGM. We report WES results on paired blood and tissue samples from eight IGM patients. Samples were processed using standard genomic protocols. Somatic variants were called with two analytical pipelines: nf-core/sarek with Strelka2 and GATK4 with Mutect2. Our WES study of eight patients did not find evidence supporting a clear genetic component. The discrepancies between variant calling algorithms, along with the considerable genetic heterogeneity observed amongst the eight IGM cases, indicate that common genetic drivers are not readily identifiable. With only three genes, CHIT1, CEP170, and CTR9, recurrently altering in multiple cases, the genetic basis of IGM remains uncertain. The absence of validation for somatic variants by Sanger sequencing raises further questions about the role of genetic mutations in the disease. Other potential contributors to the disease should be explored.

A meta-analysis of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis treatments for remission and recurrence prevention

Purpose

The major aim of our meta-analysis was to review the effectiveness of various treatment modalities for achieving successful remission and preventing recurrence for women with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM). This knowledge is instrumental in developing evidence-based guidelines for clinicians to improve management strategies and outcomes for patients with IGM.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed on MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Elsevier), PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar; studies published to 19 January 2022 were included. A meta-analysis of 57 observational studies was performed. The results of two randomized controlled trials were also examined.

Results

There were 3,035 IGM patients across the observational and randomised studies. Overall recurrence and remission rates across all treatment strategies in 59 studies are 87.9% (2,667/3035) and 13.5% (359/2667), respectively. The studies reported 19 different treatment strategies, comprising observation, medical monotherapies, surgery, and combinations involving medical therapies, with and without surgery. Among monotherapy treatment, surgical management had the highest pooled remission rate (0.99 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.97-1.00]); among combination therapy, this was steroids and surgery (0.99 [0.94-1.00]). Antibiotic monotherapy had the lowest remission rate (0.72 [0.37-0.96]). The highest recurrence rates belonged to treatments that combined antibiotics and surgery (0.54 [0.02-1.00]), and antibiotics, steroids, and surgery (0.57 [0.00-1.00]). Most successful for preventing recurrence were observation (0.03 [0.00-0.10]), methotrexate (0.08 [0.00-0.24]), and steroids and surgery (0.05 [0.01-0.12]). There is a significant association between longer follow-up duration and recurrence rate reported, p = 0.002.

Conclusion

Combination therapies, especially those incorporating antibiotics, steroids, and surgery, have demonstrated higher remission rates, challenging the use of antibiotic monotherapy. There is an increased emphasis on the need for personalised, multi-pronged approach for preventing IGM recurrence, with longer follow-up care. More prospective future work in IGM research, with standardised diagnostic criteria, treatment protocols, and reporting guidelines will be important for developing treatment protocols and guidelines clinicians can adhere to in the clinical management of IGM patients.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO (CRD42022301386).

Ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted excision for idiopathic granulomatous mastitis at the abscess stage

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare inflammatory disease of the breast with clinical features that are often confused with those of breast cancer leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness and cosmetic results of drainage surgery using ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted excision (VAE) for the treatment of IGM at the abscess stage.

METHODS

The time of recovery, cases of further surgical intervention, and cosmetic results were retrospectively collected and analyzed from patients who underwent drainage with VAE or conventional drainage between October 2017 and August 2021.

RESULTS

A total of 65 patients diagnosed with IGM at the abscess stage who underwent drainage surgery with VAE or conventional drainage surgery were enrolled. Overall, 38 (58.5%) underwent conventional drainage surgery and 27 (41.5%) underwent drainage with VAE. We found that patients who underwent VAE recovered much faster than those who underwent traditional drainage surgery (30.1 vs. 48.0 days). Nine (33.3%) patients in the VAE group required further surgical intervention after drainage, whereas 33 (86.8%) patients in the control group underwent another surgery to resect residual lesions. Additionally, patients in the VAE group were more satisfied with the breast appearance, mainly due to less influence of the scars and better symmetry of their breasts.

CONCLUSION

Compared with conventional drainage surgery, drainage surgery using VAE for IGM patients at the abscess stage improved therapeutic and cosmetic outcomes. Furthermore, postoperative management of IGM is crucial.

Treatment modalities for granulomatous mastitis, seeking the most appropriate treatment with the least recurrence rate: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Granulomatous mastitis (GM) is a rare, benign, inflammatory breast disease with an unknown etiology that predominantly affects women of reproductive age. The definitive treatment of GM is currently controversial; an appropriate therapeutic strategy has yet to be identified, and the disease's high recurrence rate remains. This study aims to determine the recurrence rate for each GM treatment strategy to identify the most appropriate treatment modality.

METHODS

The search for relevant articles was undertaken using three international databases, including Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science. Articles published in English until the end of 2021 evaluating the recurrence rate of GM were included. Using Stata 13.0, the pooled incidence and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the recurrence rate were determined.

RESULTS

Sixty-five eligible studies were included in our study. The recurrence rates of systemic steroid use, topical steroid use, antibiotic use, methotrexate use, observation, drainage, excision, antibiotic use and surgery, steroid use and surgery, antibiotic and steroid use, methotrexate and steroid use were 24% (95% CI: 21-27%), 11% (95% CI: 6-21%), 18% (95% CI: 14-22%), 13% (95% CI: 7-22%), 11% (95% CI: 7-17%), 65% (95% CI: 50-78%), 13% (95% CI: 10-16%), 23% (95% CI: 14-36%), 7% (95% CI: 5-11%), 11% (95% CI: 6-18%), and 4% (95% CI: 2-8%), respectively. Drainage had the highest recurrence rate, while combined methotrexate and steroid treatment had the lowest rate.

CONCLUSION

The optimal treatment strategy for GM depends on the disease's severity, consequences, and the patient's features. The study results indicate that combination therapy is preferable for minimizing the risk of relapse and reducing treatment complications.

Role of conservative therapy prior to surgery in xanthogranulomatous mastitis: a case report

Background

Xanthogranulomatous mastitis is an extremely rare condition that is characterised by the infiltration of the breast parenchyma by foamy histiocytes. There have been only 26 reported cases amongst 10 publications. The clinical and radiological presentation of xanthogranulomatous mastitis often causes diagnostic confusion due to its similarity to breast cancer and other forms of chronic inflammatory mastitis. A histological diagnosis is often required either by core needle biopsy or excisional biopsy. Upon review of the literature, surgical excision was the most predominant mode of management.

Case Description

We present a case of xanthogranulomatous mastitis in a 40-year-old female who presented with clinical and radiological features of breast malignancy. This was a significantly large mass with a dimension of 90.7 mm by 36.4 mm, which if surgically excised, would have led to permanent cosmetic changes. Multiple core needle biopsies were completed to consider other differentials of histiocytic lesions including cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis, histiocytoid lobular breast carcinoma, Rosai-Dorfman disease and Erdheim-Chester disease.

Conclusions

Clinical improvement was noted with reduction in size from prolonged antibiotic therapy suggesting an initial conservative approach in the management of xanthogranulomatous mastitis. By contributing our experience with xanthogranulomatous mastitis, we also present a review of literature on its aetiology, clinical features, and management of this pathology.

A novel therapy for granulomatous lobular mastitis: Local heat therapy

Granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) is a chronic inflammatory breast condition that is characterized by granulomatous inflammation. GLM remains a refractory disease due to its failure to respond to routine anti-inflammatory therapies and its high recurrence rate. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the application of local heat therapy in GLM as a potential therapeutic strategy. The results revealed that the application of local heat therapy was associated with a shortened remission time for GLM, while the remission and recurrence rates were similar to those of existing therapies. The median first remission time following local heat therapy was significantly decreased compared with that following corticosteroid therapy (5.30 months vs. 11.27 months; P<0.05). The remission rates were not significantly different between the local heat therapy (76.9%), extensive excision (90.4%) and the corticosteroid therapy (85.7%) groups (P>0.05). In addition, the recurrence rates were not statistically different between the groups (local heat therapy, 8.3%; extensive excision, 10%; and corticosteroid therapy, 10%; P>0.05). The local heat therapy showed mild adverse effects and shortened healing times compared to the other therapies; however, further confirmation is required.

The therapeutic dilemma of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare, benign, chronic breast condition that can cause repeated abscesses or mass formation in bilateral breasts. The condition can severely impact the quality of life of affected women. This study aims to evaluate effective treatment modalities, as well as understand the demographics and clinical presentation of patients with IGM.

METHODS

An 11-year retrospective review was performed of patients diagnosed with IGM from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2018 at a tertiary breast unit.

RESULTS

A total of 77 patients were included in the study. The median age at presentation was 36 years old. IGM presented most commonly as a breast lump (98.1%). The median number of flares was 2 (1-12). Of the 77 patients, 68.8% (53) were treated with antibiotics, 50.6% (39) with steroids, and 44.2% (34) underwent surgery, in the course of their IGM treatment. Forty-five (59.2%) of the 76 patients with IGM required a multimodal treatment approach to achieve remission. There was no significant difference in the number of flares no matter the initial treatment (P=0.411), or subsequent treatment modality (P=0.343). Smokers had 10 times greater odds of having a "high flare" of IGM compared to those who did not smoke (P=0.031, odds ratio 10.444, 95% confidence interval 1.092-99.859).

CONCLUSION

IGM is a clinical diagnosis. It is a rare, relapsing breast inflammatory condition that affects young females with no superior treatment modality. Smoking is associated with higher number of flares of IGM and should be discouraged in IGM patients.

Minimally invasive comprehensive treatment for granulomatous lobular mastitis

Objective

To describe a minimally invasive comprehensive treatment for granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) and compare its effect with the existing methods, particularly in terms of its recurrence rate and esthetic outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective study reviewed 69 GLM patients receiving the minimally invasive comprehensive treatment. Patients’ information, including age, clinical features, image characteristics, histopathological findings, mastitis history, treatment process, operative technique, recurrence, and esthetic effect, was evaluated.

Results

All patients were female with a median age of 32 (range 17–55) years. Hospital stays ranged from 2 to 34 days, with a median of 6 days. The shortest time for complete rehabilitation was 2 days and the longest time was 365 days, with a median of 30 days. After a median follow-up of 391 days (range 162–690), 7 patients (10.14%) relapsed. The average cosmetic score was 2.62 ± 0.57 points and was mainly related to the past treatment, especially the surgical history.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive comprehensive treatment is a new method for the treatment of GLM, ensuring a therapeutic effect while maintaining breast beauty.

[Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis associated with erythema nodosum]

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare, chronic, granulomatous, inflammatory disorder with potentially misleading clinical and radiological features. IGM is diagnosed after exclusion of infectious or tumoral diseases. Herein we report a case of erythema nodosum associated with IGM, which serves as a reminder that erythema nodosum may constitute an extra-mammary sign of IGM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 36-year-old nulliparous woman presented with fever and skin rash at our dermatology clinic at the North Franche-Comté hospital in July 2017. Symptoms had occurred 2 days previously. The patient had a fever of 38.8°C and typical erythema nodosum on the limbs. Physical examination showed an irregular, inflammatory, abscessed mass measuring 20cm with multiple shrinkage zones that had been developing for 4 weeks and for which breast examinations were being performed. Laboratory tests showed an inflammatory state (CRP 155mg/mL, WBC 14.6×109/L), other tests (serum electrolytes and calcium, hepatic and renal tests, Streptotest, T-spot, HIV, HBV, HCV serology, anti-streptolysin, anti-streptodornase, local microbiology samples, antinuclear antibodies, soluble antigens antibodies, hemocultures, angiotensin-converting-enzyme and chest x-rays) were normal. Microbiology investigations were negative. Mammography revealed invasive mastitis. Breast sample biopsies showed giant cell granulomas without caseous necrosis or tumor cells, and histochemical staining (PAS, Ziehl, Grocott, Gram) was negative. The final diagnosis was of IGM associated with erythema nodosum. Symptoms rapidly improved with oral steroids.

DISCUSSION

As reported herein, erythema nodosum may be associated with IGM and support the diagnosis thereof. This association is rare, with fewer than 30 case reports described in the literature. IGM is an uncommon benign disorder of the breast that can mimic two frequent breast disorders: breast carcinoma and breast abscess. It usually occurs in young sexually active women. It appears as a tumor with an inflammatory solid painful mass, with nipple and skin retraction, occasionally with abscesses and accompanied by homolateral axillary lymphadenopathies. Radiologic findings are usually not specific for or suggestive of cancer. The histopathological picture of IGM is characterized by the presence of multinucleated giant cells and epithelioid histiocytes forming non-caseating granulomas around lobules. Minor ductal and periductal inflammation is usually present. IGM is rarely associated with autoimmune system manifestations, especially erythema nodosum, arthritis, episcleritis or hidradenitis suppurativa. Although the physiopathology of IGM remains unclear, this case serves as additional evidence that the etiology of IGM is of autoimmune origin. While there is no recommendation for the treatment of IGM, oral steroids remain the cornerstone of therapy.

CONCLUSION

We report a case of IGM associated with erythema nodosum. Dermatologists must be aware of this association.

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: A systematic review of 3060 patients

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis is a rare benign breast disease. A systematic review was designed. Clinical and therapeutic characteristics were analyzed. Human Development Index (HDI) was used to define two groups of study: group A (very high and high HDI) and group B (medium and low HDI). Corticosteroid therapy was done in 69% group A and 78% group B. Surgery was done in 63% in group A and 83% in group B. Antibiotics were used in 68% group A and 88% group B. There is no consensus about optimal treatment for granulomatous mastitis.

Is surgical excision necessary for the treatment of Granulomatous lobular mastitis?

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the role of surgical excision in treating granulomatous lobular mastitis.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with granulomatous lobular mastitis treated from March 2008 to March 2014. We analyzed clinical features and therapeutic modalities and compared the patient outcomes based on treatment.

RESULTS

During the study period, a total of 34 patients were diagnosed with granulomatous lobular mastitis and treated. Initial treatments included wide excision (18), oral steroids after incision and drainage (14), and antibiotic therapy (2). The patients receiving only antibiotic therapy showed no improvement after 1 month and wide excision was then performed. Wide excision resulted in nine case of delayed wound healing with fistula. These patients were treated with oral steroids for 1.5-5 months, with subsequent improvement. Overall, 11 out of 20 patients who had underwent wide excision showed improvement without additional treatment. Fourteen patients who had initially received oral steroids for 1 to 6 months (average, 2.8 months) after incision and drainage showed complete remission. During the median follow-up period with 45.5 months (range, 22-98 months), six patients (17.6%) experienced recurrence. Wide excision group experienced recurrence in five (25%) and steroid and drainage group experienced recurrence in one (7.1%). All six recurrences responded to additional steroid therapy for average 3.5 months. Most wide excision group left extensive breast scarring with deformation that was not in steroid and drainage group.

CONCLUSIONS

Wide excision resulted high recurrence than steroid and drainage group and left extensive scarring. Steroid therapy with or without abscess drainage may be the first choice of treatment for majority cases with granulomatous lobular mastitis.

Corticosteroid and Azithromycin in Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis

Background:

Mastitis is an inflammatory disorder in breast tissues due to bacterial factors, mycobacterial infections or autoimmune diseases. Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a form of mastitis which may be affected by systematic diseases such as sarcoidosis, and infectious causes such as mycobacterium and fungus. This study evaluates the efficacy of medical therapy with a combination of corticosteroid and Azithromycin in patients with IGM.

Materials and Methods:

This study is a clinical trial research carried out in Alzahra Hospital (Isfahan, Iran) in 2013 on granulomatous mastitis patients. It was administered 250 mg of Azithromycin per 12 hour and 60 mg of Prednisolone per day within 2 weeks. Next, they took 40 mg/day within 8 weeks, and this dosage was tapered during 6 months and the patients clinically and radiologically followed up. The studied patients were examined within 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, from the beginning of treatment.

Results:

This study investigated granulomatous mastitis patients in Alzahra hospital in 2013. The mean age of these patients was 33.6 ± 8.9, and their age range was 18–56 years old. Among 26 studied patients, 24 persons (92.3%) according to follow-up the patients by physical examination and sonography responded to treatment of corticosteroid and Azithromycin. The remaining (7.7%) underwent surgery. Treatment periods in case of drug use were respectively, 8.5 ± 0.71 months.

Conclusion:

Treatment with corticosteroid and Azithromycin is an effective and appropriate treatment for IGM.

The Role of Interleukin-33 as an Inflammatory Marker in Differential Diagnosis of Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis and Breast Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare benign inflammatory breast disease that can clinically and radiographically mimic breast carcinoma and bacterial mastitis. The aim of this study is to investigate the importance of levels of the inflammation markers, interleukin-33 (IL-33), soluble ST2 receptor of IL-33 (sST2), procalcitonin (PCT), and CRP on differential diagnosis of IGM and breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

25 patients with IGM and 32 patients with primary BC who applied to General Surgery Clinic, and 30 healthy volunteer women with similar demographic condition were enrolled in the study. While the IL-33, sST2, and PCT levels were measured with ELISA method, other biochemical parameters were studied with autoanalyzer.

RESULTS

IL-33, sST2 levels were significantly higher in both BC and IGM groups than in control (p < 0.001). More importantly, the IL-33 levels of IGM group were found to be significantly higher when compared to the group with BC (p < 0.001). Accordingly the sST2 levels of the patients with IGM were significantly lower than the patients with BC (p < 0.001). There was no statistical significance between PCT levels BC and IGM groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of our study suggest that measurement of IL-33 and its receptor sST2 levels, alongside radiological studies can help distinguishing IGM from BC. Findings of our study need to be supported with additional studies.

Granulomatous Mastitis: A Ten-Year Experience at a University Hospital

OBJECTIVE

In this study we aimed to define clinical, radiologic and pathological specialties of patients who applied to General Surgery Department of Atatürk University Medical Faculty with granulomatous mastitis and show medical and surgical treatment results. With the help of this study we will be able to make our own clinical algorithm for diagnosis and treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched retrospectively addresses, phone numbers and clinical files of 93 patients whom diagnosed granulomatous mastitis between a decade of January 2001 - December 2010. We noted demographic specialties, ages, gender, medical family history, main complaints, physical findings, radiological and laboratory findings, medical treatments, postoperative complications and surgical procedures if they were operated; morbidity, recurrence and success ratios, complications after treatment for patients discussed above.

RESULTS

In this study we evaluated 93 patients, 91 females and 2 males, with granulomatous mastitis retrospectively who applied to General Surgery Department of Atatürk University Medical Faculty between January 2001 and December 2010. Mean age was 34.4 years. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic examination of the lesions. Seventy three patients had idiopathic granulomatous lobular mastitis and 20 patients had specific granulomatous mastitis IGM (18 tuberculosis mastitis, 1 alveolar echinococcosis and 1 silk reaction). All the patients had surgical debridement or antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory treatment with results bad clinical response before applied our clinic.

CONCLUSION

Empiric antibiotic therapy and drainage of the breast lesions are not enough for complete remission of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. The lesion must be excised completely. In selected patients, corticosteroid therapy can be useful. In the patients with tuberculous mastitis, abscess drainage and antituberculous therapy can be useful, but wide excision must be chosen for the patients with recurrent disease.

A Comparative Study of Conservative versus Surgical Treatment Protocols for 77 Patients with Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis

The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical features and demographic data of patients with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) and to compare the results of conservative versus surgical treatment protocols. The demographic data, clinical findings, microbiological and pathologic features, scanning and treatment methods, recurrence, and recovery rates of 77 patients were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups based on the type of treatment received. Core biopsies were used to diagnose 37 patients: 26 using incisional biopsies and 14 using excisional biopsies. Of the patient population with IGM, 31 were treated with surgical excision, one with a simple mastectomy, and one with a subcutaneous mastectomy combined with a breast implant, whereas 44 were treated with steroids. The recovery rates of the 44 patients who were treated conservatively were 6 (1-15) months while for the 33 patients who were treated surgically, it was 1 (1-5) month (p = 0.001). Nine patients from the conservative treatment group experienced a recurrence while there were no recurrences in the surgically treated group (p = 0.009). Among all patients, the recurrence rate was 11.7% (9/77) while the average follow-up period was 16.57 ± 18.57 months. As a comparative study between conservative treatment protocols and surgical ones for patients with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM), this study is the largest to date. A wide surgical excision is the preferred approach for treating patients with IGM because of the low recurrence rate.

[Erythema nodosum during the course of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis]

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a benign, aseptic inflammatory disease of unknown origin, which must be distinguished from tumoral and infectious processes that affect the breast, including tuberculosis. IGM is a rare cause of erythema nodosum, but it is useful for dermatologists to be aware of this association.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 32-year-old nulliparous woman presented with erythema nodosum, arthralgia and fever. On examination, she had a firm and painful mass of 5cm in the right breast with retraction and axillary adenopathy. The breast lump developed gradually over the preceding 4 months. Although two biopsies showed no evidence of atypical cells, inflammatory areas and a granulomatous process were seen. Culture of breast tissue for mycobacteria was negative. A diagnostic of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis was made. Systemic corticosteroids led to a reduction in size of the mass, but relapse occurred in the contralateral breast on dose-reduction of the corticosteroids.

DISCUSSION

IGM is a rare disease of unknown aetiology. Diagnosis is based on characteristic histological features and exclusion of other granulomatous diseases. Extra-mammary signs are rare and include erythema nodosum, arthralgia and episcleritis. Management is poorly codified.

Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis: Comparison of Wide Local Excision with or without Corticosteroid Therapy

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is an uncommon chronic inflammatory disease of the breast with uncertain optimal treatment regimen. In this study, our purpose was to report our clinical experience with 74 IGM patients who were treated wide local excision with or without steroid therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

74 cases diagnosed histologically as IGM were identified from surgical and pathological records between January 1995 and January 2012. Group 1 (surgery-only group) comprised 53 patients, and the 21 patients in group 2 were treated with corticosteroids prior to surgical treatment (steroid-and-surgery group).

RESULTS

Follow-up data were complete for 67 (91.7%) of the 73 patients. Recurrence developed in 4 (7.5%) patients in the surgery-only group, while there was no recurrence in the steroid-and-surgery group; the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.19).

CONCLUSION

Systemic steroid therapy with surgical resection is the recommended first-line treatment strategy for IGM.

Comparison of the effect of surgical and medical therapy for the treatment of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is defined as a rare, inflammatory, chronic and benign disease mimicking malignant hyperplasia of mammary glands. There is no definitive therapeutic strategy for IGM; nevertheless, some approaches can be exploited as beneficial strategies. In this study, the surgery strategy was compared with coincident treatment with azithromycin and corticosteroid in IGM patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was implemented as clinical trial during 2011-2013 in Isfahan, Iran. The target population comprised women whose IGM was substantiated. The medical group consisted of 20 patients, which were compared with a historical control group treated through surgical approach. Surgical group comprised 39 patients. Partial mastectomy was implemented in the surgical group whereas treatment protocol comprising azithromycin and prednisolone administered in medical group. Recurrence of mass was followed for 12 months. Fischer exact test, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney and regression tests were applied for statistical analysis. This study was registered in Iranian Registry of clinical trial (IRCT number: IRCT 2013123015999N1).

RESULTS

No significant differences were recognized in side of lesions, lymphadenopathy, fever and pain; however, number of abscesses, number of lesions and size of lesions were significantly higher in the surgical group (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, probability of relapse correlated with the number of lesions, (odds ratio = 24.67 confidence interval [CI] = 2.2-269.3), whereas methods of IGM treatment did not contribute to the likelihood of relapse (odds ratio = 12.5 CI = 0.52-299).

CONCLUSION

This clinical trial demonstrated that pharmaceutical treatment has appropriate efficacy, in treatment and prevention of IGM relapse. Moreover, this study presented hazf gardad number of the lesions as the most appropriate criteria for IGM prognosis, thus the probability of relapse decreases whether earlier IGM recognizing could be implemented.