Tuberculous mastitis presenting as a lump: a mimicking disease in a pregnant woman case report and review of literature

Hypermetabolic Pulmonary and Mediastinal Lesions With Elevated Cancer Antigen (CA) 15-3 and CA 27-29 in a Patient With a History of Ovarian and Breast Cancer

Breast cancer affects around 13% of women. Breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) carriers are prone to lung and lymph node metastasis, while breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2) carriers tend to have bone metastasis. Findings of pulmonary nodules, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and elevated markers such as cancer antigen (CA) 15-3 and CA 27-29 suggest metastatic disease. Here, we present the case of a patient with BRCA1-positive breast cancer in remission and a history of ovarian cancer with mediastinal lymphadenopathy and pulmonary nodules, with avid fluorodeoxyglucose uptake on positron emission tomography (PET) scan and elevated CA 15-3 and CA 27-29. A 70-year-old female with a history of bilateral breast and ovarian cancer and a positive BRCA test presented with pulmonary nodules, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and elevated CA 15-3 and CA 27-29. Imaging showed mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. A PET scan revealed increased metabolic activity in the lymph nodes and pulmonary lesions. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound lymph node sampling demonstrated granulomatous inflammation without malignant cells. The patient underwent a therapeutic trial of steroids with clinical improvement of symptoms and decreased hypermetabolic activity in chest lesions, as well as a decrease in tumor markers. The coexistence of sarcoidosis and breast cancer is rare; sarcoidosis can coexist, precede, or appear after breast cancer. In both conditions, tumor markers and PET avidity are seen, which makes diagnosis and management challenging. In case of ambiguity, biopsy is crucial. This case underscores the importance of integrating clinical, pathological, and imaging data to reach an accurate diagnosis and consider a therapeutic trial of steroids. Furthermore, the early PET response to treatment can be pivotal in differentiating between sarcoidosis and malignancy, especially in complex clinical scenarios. Proper differentiation is paramount to avoid therapeutic missteps and ensure appropriate patient management.

Examining family planning and adverse pregnancy outcomes for women with active tuberculosis disease: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

(1) Summarise and evaluate the current evidence of tuberculosis (TB)-associated pregnancy outcomes, (2) evaluate the state of the science of family planning during TB treatment and (3) provide recommendations to move forward to improve care and outcomes during TB disease.

DESIGN

Systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, Web of Science and Scopus were searched from September 2009 to November 2021.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies were included if they assessed pregnant women with active TB, drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) or TB/HIV coinfection and examined pregnancy, maternal, fetal/birth and TB or TB/HIV coinfection outcomes. Studies were also included if they examined family planning services among women initiating TB treatment.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Two independent reviewers extracted data using PRISMA guidelines and conducted quality assessment using the Joanna-Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. The level of evidence was reported using the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice guidelines.

RESULTS

69 studies were included in this review. Case reports, case series, case controls, cohort studies, secondary data analyses and a service delivery improvement project conducted in 26 countries made up the totality of the evidence. Most studies reported pregnancy complications for mothers (anaemia, postpartum haemorrhage, deaths) and fetuses or newborns (low birth weight, premature birth, and spontaneous or induced abortions). Few studies discussed the value of offering family planning to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes. One study examined the effect of a provider training on contraceptive use with reported increased contraceptive use.

CONCLUSIONS

Integrating family planning services within a TB treatment programme is essential to reduce adverse TB-associated maternal-child outcomes. Despite well-established adverse pregnancy outcomes, little attention has been paid to family planning to prevent poor pregnancy outcomes for women with TB/DR-TB. Recommendations for clinicians, TB programmes and researchers are provided and reflect evidence presented in this review.

Breast sarcoidosis: Clinical features, imaging, and histological findings

Breast sarcoidosis is an extremely rare entity (about 1%). Conventional imaging significantly contributes to the detection of breast lesions, but it has been unable to establish a definite diagnosis. Histological examination should be mandatory, over imaging assessments, in order to confirm an early diagnosis and to avoid unjustified treatments. Malignancy should be excluded as a primary differential diagnosis. However, in the presence of granulomas, it is important to recognize other granulomatous disorders such as tuberculosis, Wegener's granulomatosis, or idiopathic granulomatous mastitis, since therapeutic strategies differ. This report clarifies the current clinical assessments and differential diagnosis of breast sarcoidosis.

Breast Tuberculosis in Women: A Systematic Review

Breast tuberculosis (TB) is rarely reported and poorly described. This review aims to update the existing literature on risk factors, clinical presentations, constitutional symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and medical and surgical treatments for breast TB. In all, 1,478 cases of breast TB were collected. Previous history of TB was reported in 19% of cases. The most common clinical appearance of the lesion was breast lump (75%). The most common associated finding was axillary lymphadenitis (33%) followed by sinus or fistula (24%). The most common symptoms were pain and fever, reported in 42% and 28% of cases, respectively. The most used diagnostic method was fine-needle aspiration cytology (32%), followed by biopsy (27%), acid-fast bacteria Ziehl-Neelsen stain (26%), culture (13%), and polymerase chain reaction (2%). These tested positive in 64%, 93%, 27%, 26%, and 58% of cases, respectively. The majority (69%) of patients received a 6-month anti-TB treatment (isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol). Surgery consisted of excision in 39% of cases, drainage in 23%, and mastectomy in 5%. The great majority of patients had a positive outcome. It often mimics breast cancer, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Most patients, when diagnosed in time, respond to antitubercular therapy alone.