Tuberculosis infection of the breast mistaken for granulomatous mastitis: a case report
2008

Breast Tuberculosis Misdiagnosed as Granulomatous Mastitis

Sample size: 1 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Sriram KB, Moffatt D, Stapledon R

Primary Institution: Department of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital

Hypothesis

Can breast tuberculosis be misdiagnosed as granulomatous mastitis?

Conclusion

The case illustrates the challenge of distinguishing culture-negative tuberculosis from granulomatous mastitis.

Supporting Evidence

  • Breast tuberculosis is rare and often misdiagnosed due to non-specific symptoms.
  • The patient initially received treatment for granulomatous mastitis without improvement.
  • Standard anti-tuberculosis therapy led to complete resolution of the breast abscess.

Takeaway

A woman thought to have a breast infection actually had tuberculosis, which was only discovered after her treatment didn't work.

Methodology

The patient was treated with antibiotics for granulomatous mastitis, but after no improvement, tuberculosis treatment was initiated, leading to resolution.

Limitations

The diagnosis was complicated by the patient's history and the negative results of initial tests.

Participant Demographics

34-year-old Bangladeshi woman, HIV negative, with a history of living in a TB endemic country.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1757-1626-1-273

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