Granulomatous mastitis: radiological findings.

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Breast Imaging

Background:

• Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare, chronic inflammatory breast disease.
• It can mimic breast cancer clinically and radiologically, posing diagnostic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the radiological, ultrasonographic, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients diagnosed with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis.
• To assess the spectrum of imaging features associated with IGM.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of imaging data from nine patients with IGM.
• Inclusion of mammography, ultrasound, color Doppler ultrasound, nonenhanced MRI, and dynamic MRI findings.
• Patients had a preliminary diagnosis of malignancy.

Main Results:

• Mammography showed asymmetrical densities, ill-defined masses, and nodules.
• Ultrasound revealed heterogeneous masses, abscesses, parenchymal distortion, and tubular extensions.
• MRI demonstrated asymmetrical signal intensity changes and nodular lesions with varied enhancement patterns.

Conclusions:

• Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis exhibits a wide spectrum of imaging findings.
• These diverse radiological features are often inconclusive for differentiating IGM from malignant breast lesions.