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Tuberculosis of the breast. A cytomorphologic study.
S Kakkar1, K Kapila, M K Singh
1Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India.
Acta Cytologica
|June 2, 2000
Summary
Breast tuberculosis (TB) cytomorphology was examined in 160 cases. The study found that epithelioid cell granulomas with caseous necrosis are key diagnostic features, aiding in the identification of extrapulmonary TB.
Area of Science:
- Medical Pathology
- Cytopathology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Extrapulmonary tuberculosis, specifically breast tuberculosis (TB), is a rare condition globally.
- Despite its rarity, understanding breast TB is crucial given the high worldwide prevalence of tuberculosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cytomorphological characteristics of breast tuberculosis.
- To review existing literature on breast TB diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of old records from the Cytopathology Laboratory, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (1980-1998).
- Selection of cases with cytologic or histologic diagnosis of breast TB following fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).
- Detailed review of slides to identify cytomorphologic findings.
Main Results:
- 160 cases of breast TB were analyzed, predominantly affecting females (154) in the reproductive age group (21-40 years).
- Cytomorphology diagnostic of TB (epithelioid cell granulomas with caseous necrosis) was observed in 73.75% (118/160) of cases.
- Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) were detected in 38.6% of Ziehl-Neelsen stained cases, and histology confirmed 31 cases.
Conclusions:
- A confident cytologic diagnosis of breast TB is achievable in up to 73% of cases when epithelioid cell granulomas and necrosis are present.
- Clinicians should consider breast TB in reproductive-aged women presenting with breast lumps, especially with the rising incidence of TB linked to AIDS.
- Early and accurate diagnosis of breast TB is vital for effective management.