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Chronic granulomatous mastitis: Imaging, pathology and management
Nicolas Gautier1, Lucie Lalonde, Danh Tran-Thanh
1Centre Régional de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, avenue Bataille Flandres Dunkerque, Rennes, France. nsgautier@yahoo.fr
European Journal of Radiology
|December 4, 2012
Summary
Chronic granulomatous mastitis (CGM) presents as a breast mass, mimicking other conditions. Diagnosis requires biopsy, and while imaging offers clues, no single finding is specific for this rare, benign breast disease.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Chronic granulomatous mastitis (CGM) is a rare, benign breast disease.
- CGM can mimic infectious and malignant breast conditions, posing diagnostic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical and radiological presentation of chronic granulomatous mastitis (CGM).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of clinical and radiological data from 11 women with histologically proven CGM.
- Diagnosis confirmed by needle core or vacuum-assisted biopsy, identifying granulomatous inflammation without caseous necrosis.
Main Results:
- Clinically, CGM often presents as a mass with occasional erythema.
- Mammography shows asymmetric density; ultrasound reveals hypoechoic masses with tubular extensions and striated echotexture.
- MRI may show peripherally enhancing masses with fistulous tracts, though uncommon. CGM is a diagnosis of exclusion.
Conclusions:
- CGM is a rare benign entity lacking specific clinical or imaging features.
- Radiologists can suggest CGM in the appropriate clinical context, but definitive diagnosis relies on pathology.
- Treatment includes steroids or surgery, with similar recurrence rates; conservative management is also an option.
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