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Fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of tuberculous mastitis
D Gupta1, A Rajwanshi, S K Gupta
1Department of Cytology and Gynaecologic Pathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Objective:
To study the relationship between granulomas in the breast and tuberculous mastitis.
Study Design:
Retrospective analysis of 22 breast aspirates that showed epithelioid cell granulomas. The aspirates were reviewed and the cytomorphologic findings summarized.
Results:
Aspiration cytology revealed epithelioid cell granulomas along with giant cells, necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltrate. Overall acid-fast bacillus (AFB) positivity was 22.7%. AFB positivity was greater in the presence of necrosis when epithelioid cells were absent.
Conclusion:
In a country like India, the diagnosis of granulomatous mastitis must be made with caution, even in the absence of AFB. Only after a sufficient trial of antituberculosis treatment has been given and the patient fails to respond should an alternative diagnosis be suggested.