Granulomatous mastitis in pregnancy

• Published in: Obstetrics and gynecology (New York. 1953) Vol. 96; no. 5; pp. 813 - 815
• Main Authors: Goldberg, Jay, Baute, Lisa, Storey, Leslie, Park, Pauline
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-11-2000; The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Glucocorticoids - therapeutic use; Granuloma - drug therapy; Granuloma - etiology; Granuloma - pathology; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Mammary gland diseases; Mastitis - diagnosis; Mastitis - drug therapy; Mastitis - pathology; Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases; Prednisone - therapeutic use; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - diagnosis; Case study; Pregnancy; Human; Mammary gland diseases; Granulomatous mastitis; Skin disease; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Polyarthritis; Female; Diagnosis; Erythema nodosum
• ISSN: 0029-7844; 1873-233X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0029-7844(00)01051-6

Background: Granulomatous mastitis, a rare, benign breast condition characterized by granulomas and abscess formation, is mistaken frequently for inflammatory breast carcinoma. Although it has been reported in reproductive-age women, it is unusual in pregnancy.
Case: A 25-year-old black gravida 4 para 2 developed a tender, indurated 20 × 15 × 15 cm multilobulated breast mass at 17 weeks’ gestation. After not responding to antibiotics and incisional drainage, the biopsy-proved granulomatous mastitis improved with corticosteroid treatment. A postpartum recurrence also responded to steroid therapy.
Conclusion: Granulomatous mastitis is diagnosed clinically and histologically. Early recognition and initiation of steroid treatment might prevent repetitive, deforming breast biopsies.