Imaging Findings of Lupus Mastitis: A Systematic Review of Case Studies

Lupus mastitis (LM) is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus, resulting in an inflammatory process within the breast tissue. This condition presents diagnostic challenges due to its similarity to other breast pathologies, including infections and malignancies. Clinically, patients may exhibit symptoms such as breast pain, swelling, and erythema, often leading to further investigation through imaging and histopathological analysis. Given the absence of established clinical guidelines for LM, identifying the most effective imaging and laboratory techniques is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment. In this paper, 32 patient case reports were analyzed, with 20 patients having previous diagnoses of lupus and 12 not previously diagnosed. The study population comprised 90.6% (n=29) women, with a mean age of 44 years and an average disease duration of 10 years. The majority of LM was unilateral, with 50% (n=16) of patients experiencing LM in the right breast, 31.2% (n=10) in the left breast, and 18.8% (n=6) bilaterally. The location varied to almost all quadrants of the breast. The rarity of LM contributes to clinician unawareness, often resulting in misdiagnosis and confusion. As there are currently no guidelines, in this study we examined the imaging findings of LM through a variety of modalities and reported a suggested clinical guideline to follow for the diagnoses of LM.