Clinical experience in the treatment of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis

Background: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare inflammatory disease of the breast. Although the etiology is unknown, some risk factors have been identified. The disease begins as an inflammatory mass in the breast and it is important to differentiate the breast from malignant disease. Since the disease is rare, there is no consensus on its treatment, but immunosuppressive drugs and surgery are recommended for its treatment. In this study, we wanted to share with you our clinical experience in the treatment of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis, which is difficult to diagnose and treat. Material and methods: Between 2017-2018, 263 female patients aged 22-52 years who presented to the general surgery outpatient clinic with complaints of swelling, pain and redness of the breast were treated with the diagnosis of inflammatory disease of the breast. Twenty-two patients with granulomatous mastitis were included in the study. Results: The mastitis diagnosis of patients with medical treatment given to patients without clinical improvement tru-cut biopsy diagnosis of granulomatous mastitis performed. Corticosteroid treatment was started primarily to patients without the contraindication. Surgical treatment was performed in 5 patients without clinical improvement. Approximately15-month follow-up clinical recurrence was detected in any patient with clinical and imaging. Conclusion: We suggest that corticosteroid therapy should be considered as the primary treatment for idiopathic granulomatous mastitis, but it should be considered as the primary treatment in patients with resistant IGM.