An update on granulomatous mastitis: a rare and complex condition

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.

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: A case report and literature review

Key Clinical Message

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a challenging chronic inflammatory disease in diagnosis with unknown etiology. Although the most appropriate treatment protocol has not yet been identified, prednisolone was used in our patient as an effective and practical choice in the treatment of IGM.

Abstract

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the breast and mimics disorders such as breast cancer and breast abscess. Due to the uncommon of this disease, there is no definitive etiology, or treatment. A 38-year-old woman presented with a 3-week history of painful right retro-areolar mass. She had no history of breast trauma and a family history of breast cancer. She had a history of breastfeeding her second child for 12 months in the past year. Diagnostic tests and investigations led to the IGM diagnosis. Therefore, the patient was successfully treated with a course of corticosteroids, but after 2 months, during treatment, she developed Brucellosis. Despite the patient's Brucella infection and treatment with anti-Brucella drugs, prednisolone as an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid therapy was influential in the treatment of IGM.

Predisposing Factors for Granulomatous Lobular Mastitis: A Case-Control Study

Background

Despite the rising incidence rate of granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM), uncertainties persist about its etiologic and predisposing factors to guide clinical treatment and early prevention. The objective of this study is to explore the predisposing factors for GLM.

Patients and methods

This case-control study was conducted from 2018 to 2021 at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University. Patients with GLM (cases) were matched with healthy examinees (controls) in a 1:1 ratio according to gender and living area. We analyzed their demographic features and investigated 75 factors that may be relevant to GLM using a standard questionnaire. Univariate and multivariable binary conditional logistic regression analyses were used to compare the differences between the two groups and evaluate the predisposing factors that may induce GLM.

Results

There were 594 female GLM patients and 594 matched controls included in the study. The average age of the cases was 32.78 years (mainly 20 to 40). The incidence was high within five years after childbirth, and lesions were mainly in the unilateral breast. Univariate and multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses obtained six relevant factors and six high-risk factors. The six relevant factors included age, marriage, emotional abnormality, high prolactin, psychiatric drug intake, and sex hormone intake. Additionally, the independent high-risk factors for GLM included gestation, nipple invagination, blunt trauma, non-iatrogenic massage, lactation disorder, and nipple discharge (odds ratio (OR)=17.378, 8.518, 4.887, 3.116, 2.522, 1.685, P<0.05). Menopause was an independent protective factor (OR=0.249, P<0.05).

Conclusion

The factors that increase milk and secretion production in the mammary duct are the main risk factors of GLM, especially when the nipples are invaginated. These factors can obstruct the duct and induce inflammation. Additionally, hormonal disorders, extrinsic trauma, and emotional abnormalities can accelerate the occurrence of GLM.

Hair follicle mesenchymal stem cell exosomal lncRNA H19 inhibited NLRP3 pyroptosis to promote diabetic mouse skin wound healing

Skin wounds caused by diabetes are a major medical problem. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes hold promise to quicken wound healing due to their ability to transfer certain molecules to target cells, including mRNAs, microRNAs, lncRNAs, and proteins. Nonetheless, the specific mechanisms underlying this impact are not elucidated. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the effect of MSC-derived exosomes comprising long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 on diabetic skin wound healing. Hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells (HF-MSCs) were effectively isolated and detected, and exosomes (Exo) were also isolated smoothly. Pretreatment with 30 mM glucose for 24 h (HG) could efficiently induce pyroptosis in HaCaT cells. Exosomal H19 enhanced HaCaT proliferation and migration and inhibited pyroptosis by reversing the stimulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Injection of exosomes overexpressing lncRNA H19 to diabetic skin wound promoted sustained skin wound healing, whereas sh-H19 exosomes did not have this effect. In conclusion, Exosomes overexpressing H19 promoted HaCaT proliferation, migration and suppressed pyroptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, HFMSC-derived exosomes that overexpress H19 may be included in strategies for healing diabetic skin wounds.

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis - new approach in operative treatment

Introduction. Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (GM) is described as a very rare, non-lactating, chronic mastitis that occurs primarily in women of childbearing age. Significant clinical problem related to GM is the diagnostic differentiation from breast cancer. Less advanced forms of GM can be successfully treated with limited surgical excisions and radical treatment is recommended only for the most extensive forms. Case report. First examination of the patient, by the surgeon at Oncology Institute of Vojvodina was in December 2018., when initial suspicion of breast cancer was set up. Core needle biopsy was performed and after histopathological (HP) analysis, confirmation of GM was obtained. The patient was initially offered Prednisone and Methotrexate therapy, which she refused and accepted only surgical treatment. Surgical treatment was performed few weeks after needle biopsy and consisted of performing a nipple spearing mastectomy with excision of the orifices of all fistulous ducts and their primary sutures. The HP findings of the operative specimen confirmed the diagnosis of GM. While there were no signs of dieses relapse, patient was suggested secondary reconstruction of the left breast. Twelve months after the primary operation, secondary breast reconstruction was performed with the interposition of a contoured silicone implant into a muscle pocket in a standard manner. Conclusion. Nipple spearing mastectomy with secondary breast reconstruction is aesthetically satisfactory treatment for patients with locally advanced GM.

Inflammatory diseases of the breast

Inflammatory disorders of the breast are common benign breast conditions. Lactational mastitis occurs in breastfeeding women and may be associated with breast abscess in severe cases. Non-lactational inflammatory disorders are less common and include idiopathic granulomatous mastitis, periductal mastitis, and tuberculous mastitis. While these disorders have some similarities in their presentation, each disorder requires a specific treatment regimen for resolution, and correct diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment. In this chapter, we will review the presentation, diagnosis, and management of each of these distinct clinical entities.