Role of empirical antitubercular therapy for chronic mastitis—A prospective study

Objectives Chronic mastitis (CM) is an uncommon inflammatory condition of the breast, clinically mimicking malignancy with variable etiological factors. It often recurs, causing cosmetic disfigurement and hampering the quality of life of affected females. Limited literature reveals underlying bacterial infection as causative agents in a few cases, while the majority belong to idiopathic entities. CM can be seen as two histological types—chronic granulomatous mastitis (CGM) and chronic nonspecific inflammatory infiltrates (NGM). Etiological and ethnic variations exist globally, and there is lack of information from India. Understanding this entity is important for undertaking etiology-based therapy and preventing unnecessary mismanagement. Materials and Methods We evaluated the demographic, imaging profile and management protocol of CM patients presenting to a tertiary care center in India. Clinically suspected CM patients were prospectively evaluated by mammography and ultrasound (USG). USG-guided biopsy was performed for histopathological and microbiological analysis and treatment was administered accordingly. Response assessment was conducted at six months through USG and clinical evaluation. Results Out of the 53 clinically suspected CM patients, 48 biopsy-proven CM patients were enrolled (five breast carcinoma cases were excluded). All 48 patients were females, with a mean age of 36 ± 9 years. The most common symptom was a unilateral painful lump with skin discoloration. The etiology was idiopathic in 58.3% of cases, tuberculosis in 29%, and bacterial in 4%. Mammography revealed focal asymmetry, architectural distortion, and trabecular thickening. USG showed tracking fluid collections, microlobulated hypoechoic masses, and skin thickening. Etiology-based treatment was administered, and all patients showed 90–100% resolution between four and six months. Conclusion Mammography and USG are important for raising the suspicion while histopathology and microbiological analysis are mandatory for accurate treatment of CM. In India, idiopathic and tubercular etiology of CM is encountered and patients respond well to therapy.