[Recurrent mastitis with an unusual etiology]

Area of Science:

• Medical diagnostics
• Surgical pathology
• Infectious disease

Background:

• Necrotising mastitis is a severe breast infection characterized by tissue death.
• Recurrent and refractory cases pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
• Foreign bodies can act as niduses for persistent or recurrent infections.

Observation:

• A patient presented with persistent, recurring necrotising mastitis despite multiple treatment attempts.
• Diagnostic investigations revealed the presence of foreign material within the breast tissue.
• The mastitis symptoms correlated with the presence and location of these artifacts.

Findings:

• The causative agent of the refractory necrotising mastitis was identified as foreign artifacts.
• Surgical removal of the artifacts led to the resolution of the mastitis.
• Histopathological examination confirmed the nature of the foreign material.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering iatrogenic or environmental foreign bodies in refractory mastitis.
• Diagnostic protocols for persistent mastitis should include thorough imaging and consideration of artifactual causes.
• Prompt identification and removal of causative artifacts are essential for successful treatment outcomes.