Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis: Do We Really Regard it as a Surgical Disease Anymore?

Diagnosis, Approach, and Clinical Classification of Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis: Consensus Report

Objective

The aim of the idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) consensus study was to evaluate the etiology, diagnostic steps, and differential diagnosis and propose a widely accepted clinical classification of this mysterious breast disease.

Method

The organization of a national IGM consensus was decided by the joint evaluation of the Turkish Federation of Breast Diseases Societies, SENATURK, and the Society of Breast Surgery. First, a working group of 11 members was formed, and a survey and workshop were organized to reach a common consensus. The modified Delphi method was used in the consensus methodology. Voting rates of 80% and above were considered as acceptance.

Results

The consensus was 45/50 (92%) that core needle biopsies are necessary for the diagnosis of IGM and 39/40 (97%) that a new clinical classification is needed. The proposed Turkish clinical classification of IGM was accepted by 94% in three rounds of voting.

Conclusion

This disease should be considered etiologically idiopathic. Tissue diagnosis and pathological evaluation are recommended for treatment. The proposed IGM Turkey classification was strongly accepted.

The Effect of Soluble TREM-1 in Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis

Background and objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) in idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM).Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Saglik Bilimleri and Necmettin Erbakan Universities. Sixty patients with IGM diagnosis (Group P) and 25 healthy females as control group (Group C) were included. Group P was divided into two subgroups according to the activity of disease: patients with active lesion (Group P_A), and patients without any symptoms, in remission (Group P_R). The ELISA method was used to measure sTREM-1 level.Results: Group P's sTREM-1 were higher than Group C (p < .0001). The difference between sTREM-1 levels of Groups P_A, P_R and C was significant statistically (p < .0001). Group P_A's sTREM-1 levels were higher than Group C (p < .0001). Also, sTREM-1 levels of Group P_R were higher than Group C (p = .006). When sTREM-1 levels of patients receiving steroid therapy and did not in Group P_R were analyzed, the sTREM-1 levels of the patients not receiving steroid treatment were found to be statistically higher than Group C (p = .002). Although the sTREM-1 levels of the patients who did not receive steroid therapy were higher than those who received steroid therapy, the difference was not statistically significant (p > .05).Conclusion: We concluded that the detected high sTREM-1 levels contributed to inflammation in IGM. In particular, blockade of TREM may be a promising treatment option in resistant or multiple recurrent patients.

What are the new findings with regard to the mysterious disease idiopathic granulomatous mastitis?

PURPOSE

To review the demographic and clinical features and the success rates of treatment approaches for idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM).

METHODS

A total of 134 patients diagnosed with IGM pathologically and treated by a single breast surgeon were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

The time between the occurrence of symptoms and the last delivery was < 24 months in 25 (23.1%), 24-48 months in 51 (38.1%), and > 48 months in 52 (38.8%). The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.002). Although there was no significant difference, seasonal fluctuations were noticed, with the incidence being slightly higher during late spring and summer. Bilateral disease was present in 10 (7.5%) patients. Seven patients (5.2%) had erythema nodosum. The treatment approaches were conservative in 42, surgical procedures in 48, steroid treatment in 18, and surgical procedure + steroid treatment in 24. The median recovery time with conservative approaches was lower than that with surgical procedure + steroid treatment (p < 0.0001). Recurrence developed in 10 patients (7.7%).

CONCLUSION

Clinical differences were detected among the patients with IGM, and classification of patients by severity is needed to plan the optimal treatment approach. Seasonal fluctuations suggest the possibility of an immunological disease rather than a surgical disease.

Comparison of Topical, Systemic, and Combined Therapy with Steroids on Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis: A Prospective Randomized Study

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a benign disorder of the breast, for which the optimal treatment modality remains missing.

METHODS

A total of 124 patients with a histopathologically proven diagnosis of IGM were enrolled in a prospective, randomized parallel arm study. Patients were treated with topical steroids in Group T (n: 42), systemic steroids (0.8 mg/kg/day peroral) in Group S (n: 42), and combined steroids (0.4 mg/kg/day peroral + topical) in Group C (n: 40). Compliance with the therapy, response to the therapy, the duration of therapy, side effects and the recurrence rates were compared.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients did not comply with the treatment, and the highest ratio of compliance with therapy was seen in Group T (p < 0.05). Complete clinical regression (CCR) was observed in 90 (83.3%) patients. Response to the treatment (RT) was evaluated radiologically and observed in 89.8% of the patients. There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding CCR, RT and the recurrence rate. The longest duration of therapy was observed in Group T (22 ± 9.1-week), whereas the shortest was observed in Group S (11.7 ± 5.5-week) (p < 0.001). The systemic side effects were significantly lower in Group T in comparison with Groups S and C (2.4% vs. 38.2% and 30.3%, respectively) (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The efficiency of the treatment was similar for all groups, both clinically and radiologically. Although the duration of therapy was longer in Group T, the lack of systemic side effects increased the compliance of the patients with the therapy. Therefore, topical steroids would be among first-line treatment options of IGM.

[Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis associated with erythema nodosum]

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare, chronic, granulomatous, inflammatory disorder with potentially misleading clinical and radiological features. IGM is diagnosed after exclusion of infectious or tumoral diseases. Herein we report a case of erythema nodosum associated with IGM, which serves as a reminder that erythema nodosum may constitute an extra-mammary sign of IGM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 36-year-old nulliparous woman presented with fever and skin rash at our dermatology clinic at the North Franche-Comté hospital in July 2017. Symptoms had occurred 2 days previously. The patient had a fever of 38.8°C and typical erythema nodosum on the limbs. Physical examination showed an irregular, inflammatory, abscessed mass measuring 20cm with multiple shrinkage zones that had been developing for 4 weeks and for which breast examinations were being performed. Laboratory tests showed an inflammatory state (CRP 155mg/mL, WBC 14.6×109/L), other tests (serum electrolytes and calcium, hepatic and renal tests, Streptotest, T-spot, HIV, HBV, HCV serology, anti-streptolysin, anti-streptodornase, local microbiology samples, antinuclear antibodies, soluble antigens antibodies, hemocultures, angiotensin-converting-enzyme and chest x-rays) were normal. Microbiology investigations were negative. Mammography revealed invasive mastitis. Breast sample biopsies showed giant cell granulomas without caseous necrosis or tumor cells, and histochemical staining (PAS, Ziehl, Grocott, Gram) was negative. The final diagnosis was of IGM associated with erythema nodosum. Symptoms rapidly improved with oral steroids.

DISCUSSION

As reported herein, erythema nodosum may be associated with IGM and support the diagnosis thereof. This association is rare, with fewer than 30 case reports described in the literature. IGM is an uncommon benign disorder of the breast that can mimic two frequent breast disorders: breast carcinoma and breast abscess. It usually occurs in young sexually active women. It appears as a tumor with an inflammatory solid painful mass, with nipple and skin retraction, occasionally with abscesses and accompanied by homolateral axillary lymphadenopathies. Radiologic findings are usually not specific for or suggestive of cancer. The histopathological picture of IGM is characterized by the presence of multinucleated giant cells and epithelioid histiocytes forming non-caseating granulomas around lobules. Minor ductal and periductal inflammation is usually present. IGM is rarely associated with autoimmune system manifestations, especially erythema nodosum, arthritis, episcleritis or hidradenitis suppurativa. Although the physiopathology of IGM remains unclear, this case serves as additional evidence that the etiology of IGM is of autoimmune origin. While there is no recommendation for the treatment of IGM, oral steroids remain the cornerstone of therapy.

CONCLUSION

We report a case of IGM associated with erythema nodosum. Dermatologists must be aware of this association.