Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
05:05
Isolation and Culture of Primary Human Mammary Epithelial Cells
Published on: May 3, 2024
Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: rare but important
1Department of General Surgery, Stafford Hospital, Kings Norton, Birmingham, UK. meiju.hwang@gmail.com
BMJ Case Reports
|July 11, 2012
Summary
Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis is a rare, benign breast condition. Surgical excision offers a definitive treatment option for persistent cases unresponsive to conservative therapies.
Area of Science:
- Breast pathology
- Granulomatous inflammation
- Surgical oncology
Background:
- Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare, chronic inflammatory condition of the breast.
- It often mimics infectious mastitis or malignancy, posing diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old woman presented with persistent mastitis and a palpable breast mass.
- Initial antibiotic treatment was ineffective.
- Triple assessment, including clinical examination, imaging, and biopsy, confirmed IGM.
Findings:
- The patient's condition did not improve with conservative management or corticosteroid therapy.
- Surgical excision of the affected breast tissue was performed.
- Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of IGM.
Implications:
- Surgical excision can be an effective treatment for refractory idiopathic granulomatous mastitis.
- Long-term follow-up is essential to monitor for recurrence.
- This case highlights the importance of considering IGM in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory breast conditions.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
01:14Atypical Pneumonia
Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
01:31Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
01:25Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...