[Rare Forms of Mastitis]

Rare Forms of Mastitis Abstract. Inflammatory breast diseases caused by bacterial infections represent the main cause for mastitis in breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women. The clinical appearance and a standardized evaluation can indicate rare inflammatory breast diseases. An underlying comorbidity or the evidence of rare pathogens could be suggestive. However, core needle biopsy is the main step in diagnostics. Malignancy, e.g. an inflammatory breast cancer must consistently be excluded. This mini review outlines a few rare inflammatory breast diseases, their initial presentation, and how to diagnose them accurately.

[Exploration of breast inflammation excluding pregnancy and breastfeeding: Guidelines]

Breast inflammation, excluding breast-feeding and pregnancy, is a rare breast pathology. We conducted a PubMed database search of all studies focusing on mastitis or breast inflammation exploration. While the most frequent aetiologies are infectious and inflammatory, inflammatory breast cancer can be diagnosed (LE2). Aetiologic diagnostic is difficult due to the absence of any clinical and imaging specific signs (LE3). The presence of mass, suspect lymph nodes or skin thickening in a woman older than 40 years old should orient toward inflammatory breast cancer (LE3). A suspect lesion must lead to perform a biopsy under sonography (grade A). In the absence of evidence for a malignant pathology after initial evaluation, we recommend starting an antibiotic treatment (grade C) with a clinical follow-up at the end of the treatment (grade B). If the symptoms persist, we recommend a new imaging (± MRI) (grade C) and a biopsy (grade C). Benign inflammatory pathologies may require a biopsy to exclude an inflammatory breast cancer and precise the diagnosis. Their specific management and treatment are presented in detail in the following chapters and may involve steroids.

[Mastitis revealing Churg-Strauss syndrome]

BACKGROUND

Churg-Strauss syndrome often involves the skin, and this may sometimes reveal the disease.

OBSERVATION

A 25-year-old woman was referred to a gynaecologist for inflammation of the right breast with breast discharge. Cytological analysis of the liquid showed numerous inflammatory cells, particularly polymorphonuclear eosinophils and neutrophils. Ultrasound examination of the breast was consistent with galactophoritis. CRP was normal, and hypereosinophilia was seen. The patient was subsequently referred to a dermatology unit. Skin examination revealed inflammation of the entire breast, which was painful, warm and erythematous; the border was oedematous with blisters. Necrotic lesions were also present on the thumbs and knees. Skin biopsy of the breast showed a dermal infiltrate with abundant infiltrate of polymorphonuclear eosinophils, including patchy necrosis and intraepidermal vesicles. Histological examination of a biopsy sample from a thumb revealed eosinophilic granuloma and leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The patient was also presenting asthma, pulmonary infiltrates and mononeuropathy at L3, consistent with Churg-Strauss syndrome.

DISCUSSION

Breast involvement in Churg-Strauss syndrome is very rare (only one other case has been reported). This is the first case in which the breast condition revealed the disease. Cutaneous involvement of the breast is, however, also compatible with Wells' cellulitis. The lesions quickly disappeared with 1mg/kg/d oral prednisolone.