Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology in Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis

Management of Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis: A Single Institution Experience

Introduction

There are multiple management modalities for idiopathic granulomatous mastitis, but the treatment of choice is still under debate. This study aims to evaluate the diagnosis and outcomes of different management modalities in patients with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis and to identify the risk factors associated with recurrence.

Method

This is a single-group cohort study that included those patients who had idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. Ultrasonography was conducted for all of the cases using LOGIQ E9 with an ML6-15 transducer (5-15 MHz). A core needle biopsy was conducted to take samples from the cases for histopathological examination. The patients were put on steroid therapy. Whenever the cases did not respond to the steroid therapy, treatment with a combination of low-dose steroids and methotrexate was started. In the lack of response to conservative treatments, surgical interventions were started.

Results

Sixty-three cases with a confirmed histopathological diagnosis of granulomatous mastitis were included. The mean age of patients was 35.7 years. The history of more than one childbirth was positive in a large portion of the cases (82.5%). The lesion side was unilateral in 58.7% of the cases. A large proportion of the lesions were classified as BIRADS category 2. The best treatment outcome was yielded by a combination of low-dose steroids and incision and drainage. The factors of age, lesion area (cm2), skin thickening, and white blood cell count enhanced the chance of recurrence.

Conclusion

Incision and drainage in combination with a low dose of steroids can give an acceptable outcome with a low rate of recurrence.

Identification of periductal mastitis and granulomatous lobular mastitis: a literature review

Background and Objective

Non-puerperal mastitis (NPM) is a breast disease with poor clinical manifestations, which seriously affects women's health and quality of life. Due to the low incidence rate of the disease and the paucity of related research, there is much misdiagnosis and mis-management of periductal mastitis (PDM) and granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM). Therefore, understanding the differences between PDM and GLM, in terms of etiology and clinical manifestations, is crucial for patient treatment and prognosis. At the same time, choosing different treatment methods may not achieve the best treatment effect, so the appropriate treatment method can often reduce the patient's pain and reduce the recurrence of the patient's disease.

Methods

The PubMed database was searched for articles published from 1 January 1990 to 16 June 2022 using the following search terms: "non-puerperal mastitis", "periductal mastitis", "granulomatous lobular mastitis", "mammary duct ectasia", "idiopathic granulomatous mastitis", "plasma cell mastitis", and "identification". The key findings of the related literatures were analyzed and summarized.

Key Content and Findings

We systematically described the key points in the differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of PDM and GLM. The use of different animal models for research and novel drugs to treat the disease were also described in this paper.

Conclusions

The key points in the differentiation of the two diseases are clearly explained, and the respective treatment options and prognosis are summarized.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Systemic Versus Local Steroid Treatment in Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis: A Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Steroid therapy is known to be effective against granulomatous mastitis. We aimed to compare the efficacy of local versus systemic steroid administration in patients with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective cohort study included 58 patients who had either local (n = 42) or systemic (n = 16) treatment due to granulomatous mastitis between 2015 and 2019. Recurrence rates were determined as per ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging examinations and the rate of side effects was evaluated as per patient complaints and physical examinations at the end of a 2-year follow-up period.

RESULTS

Median doses of 140 mg and 3810 mg were administered to the local and systemic group, respectively. Six (14.3%) patients in the local treatment group and 13 (81.3%) in the systemic treatment group had steroid-related side effects. The local treatment group had significantly fewer side effects than the systemic treatment group (P < 0.001). The recurrence rates were similar in both groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Local steroid injection was as effective as systemic steroid therapy. Compared to systemic therapy, local steroid administration can be considered as a new therapeutic protocol with a lower dose and side effect rate.

Management of granulomatous lobular mastitis: an international multidisciplinary consensus (2021 edition)

Granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) is a rare and chronic benign inflammatory disease of the breast. Difficulties exist in the management of GLM for many front-line surgeons and medical specialists who care for patients with inflammatory disorders of the breast. This consensus is summarized to establish evidence-based recommendations for the management of GLM. Literature was reviewed using PubMed from January 1, 1971 to July 31, 2020. Sixty-six international experienced multidisciplinary experts from 11 countries or regions were invited to review the evidence. Levels of evidence were determined using the American College of Physicians grading system, and recommendations were discussed until consensus. Experts discussed and concluded 30 recommendations on historical definitions, etiology and predisposing factors, diagnosis criteria, treatment, clinical stages, relapse and recurrence of GLM. GLM was recommended as a widely accepted definition. In addition, this consensus introduced a new clinical stages and management algorithm for GLM to provide individual treatment strategies. In conclusion, diagnosis of GLM depends on a combination of history, clinical manifestations, imaging examinations, laboratory examinations and pathology. The approach to treatment of GLM should be applied according to the different clinical stage of GLM. This evidence-based consensus would be valuable to assist front-line surgeons and medical specialists in the optimal management of GLM.

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.

Assertive clinical practice in managing patients with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: Review of literature

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a benign persistent inflammatory breast entity characterized histologically by lobulo centric granulomas. Diagnosis may be difficult and involves a strong index of suspicion. There are plentiful studies are published which render the disease more frequently than expected. The strategy for imaging IGM depends on patient age, clinical manifestations, and risk factors. Patients have an excellent prognosis when they are appropriately treated. The management remains contentious, good judgment is required to ensure optimum treatment form and timing.

Quantitative perfusion parameters of benign inflammatory breast pathologies: A descriptive study

PURPOSE

With this study, we evaluated the perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of benign inflammatory breast lesions for the first time and compared their K_trans, K_ep, V_e values and contrast kinetic curves to benign masses and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Perfusion MRIs of the benign masses (n = 42), inflammatory lesions (n = 25), and IDCs (n = 16) were evaluated retrospectively in terms of K_trans, K_ep, V_e values and contrast kinetic curves and compared by the Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, chi-square tests statistically. Cronbach α test was used to measure intraobserver and interobserver reliability.

RESULTS

Mean K_trans values were 0.052 for benign masses, 0.086 for inflammatory lesions and 0.101 for IDC (p < 0.001). Mean K_ep values were 0.241 for benign masses, 0.435 for inflammatory lesions and 0.530 for IDC (p < 0.001). Mean V_e values were 0.476 for benign masses, 0.318 for inflammatory lesions and 0.310 for IDC (p = 0.067). For inflammatory and IDC lesions, K_trans and K_ep values were found to be higher and V_e values were lower than benign masses (p = 0.001 for K_trans, p = 0.001 for K_ep, p = 0.045 for V_e). There were excellent or good intra-interobserver reliabilities. For the kinetic curve pattern, most of the benign lesions showed progressive (81%), inflammatory lesions progressive (64%) and IDC lesions plateau (75%) patterns (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

On T1 perfusion MRI, similar to IDC lesions, inflammatory lesions demonstrate higher K_trans and K_ep and lower V_e values than benign masses. Quantitative perfusion parameters are not helpful in differentiating them from IDC lesions.