An update on granulomatous mastitis: a rare and complex condition
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Robyn F Coombe; Hisham Hamed
- Source
- British journal of hospital medicine (London, England : 2005). 82(5)
- Subject
- medicine.medical_specialty
medicine.drug_class
medicine.medical_treatment
Antibiotics
Disease
Granulomatous mastitis
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Recurrence
medicine
Humans
030212 general & internal medicine
Granulomatous Mastitis
Abscess
Escherichia coli Infections
Treatment regimen
business.industry
General Medicine
medicine.disease
Dermatology
Mastitis
Anti-Bacterial Agents
030220 oncology & carcinogenesis
Female
business
Core biopsy
Watchful waiting
- Language
- ISSN
- 1750-8460
Granulomatous mastitis is a rare inflammatory condition of the breast affecting women of child-bearing age. The disease is characterised by chronic and relapsing inflammation, resulting in scarring and discharging sinuses. Granulomatous mastitis is considered to be idiopathic and the pathogenesis is poorly understood. An amplified immune response has been proposed as a likely cause and there is evidence linking Corynebacterium to some cases of granulomatous mastitis. The presentation is similar to bacterial mastitis or abscess and antibiotics are commonly commenced empirically. The cornerstone of diagnosis is histopathological evaluation on core biopsy; an index of suspicion based on demographic assessment can avoid delays in diagnosis. Management is difficult and there is no consensus on best treatment. Various treatment regimens are described, with high relapse rates relating to the nature of the condition. Watchful waiting is appropriate for mild presentations and steroids are the mainstay of treatment for more severe cases. This article reviews the emerging evidence on granulomatous mastitis and describes an updated approach to management.