Granulomatous mastitis - Case report

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare, benign, and chronic inflammatory breast disease with unclear etiology and no standardized treatment. It often presents as a painful breast mass that mimics breast cancer, necessitating thorough diagnostic evaluation.

This report discusses a case of a 39-year-old pregnant woman with IGM associated with erythema nodosum, a poorly understood co-occurrence. Initial treatment included antibiotics and surgical drainage for an abscess. Despite multiple interventions, including corticosteroids and methotrexate, the disease persisted with recurrent episodes.

This case underscores the complexities of managing IGM, highlighting its association with systemic manifestations such as erythema nodosum. Current therapeutic approaches range from conservative management to immunosuppressive therapy and surgery, with outcomes varying widely.

Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathophysiology and establish optimal treatment strategies for IGM, particularly in the context of systemic involvement.