Granulomatous Mastitis: An Autobiographical Case Report

TL;DR

A 34-year-old woman's rare breast condition, granulomatous mastitis, was misdiagnosed initially and required a biopsy for accurate diagnosis.

Contribution

This case report highlights the diagnostic challenges and emotional impact of granulomatous mastitis through a personal patient experience.

Findings

Granulomatous mastitis was confirmed via ultrasound-guided biopsy and MRI after initial misdiagnosis.

Treatment with corticosteroids and doxycycline led to significant improvement in symptoms.

The case emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary care and histopathological examination for accurate diagnosis.

Abstract

Granulomatous mastitis (GM) is a rare, benign inflammatory breast disease that predominantly affects women of childbearing age and often mimics breast carcinoma. The diagnosis requires histopathological examination due to nonspecific imaging findings. Treatment includes antibiotics, corticosteroids, and surgery, but no standardized protocols exist.

This autobiographical case report describes a 34-year-old woman with a tender breast lump following trauma, initially misdiagnosed as a simple abscess. Despite incision and drainage, she developed erythema nodosum, persistent fever, and arthritis, which responded to corticosteroids. Further investigation, including an ultrasound-guided biopsy and MRI, confirmed GM. Recurrent symptoms were managed with prednisolone and doxycycline, leading to significant improvement.

This case report aims to highlight the diagnostic challenges associated with GM, emphasizing the necessity for a detailed histopathological examination to achieve an accurate diagnosis. It also brings attention to the significant emotional impact on patients facing a rare and complex diagnosis. By presenting this case, we aim to highlight the critical importance of a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to patient care in managing GM effectively.

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