Primary Breast Tuberculosis Mimicking Carcinomatous Mastitis: A Case Report

Abstract

The breast is a rare localization of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, even in highly endemic countries. It is most often primitive. The clinical and radiological features are sometimes misleading. It poses diagnostic problems especially with cancer. We report a case of breast tuberculosis having clinical and radiological presentations as a breast carcinoma. Through this observation and a review of the literature, we provide an update on the epidemiological characteristics and the means of diagnosis of this lesion. It was a 52-year-old woman with inflammatory lump of the left breast, adherent to the skin. Ultrasonography and mammography revealed a homogeneous, poorly demarcated nodule of approximately 4 cm of diameter, classified ACR4. Surgical excision was performed. The histological diagnosis was breast tuberculosis. The diagnosis of tuberculous mastitis is made on bacteriological and pathological examinations. Histological examination helps for diagnostic confirmation while excluding a malignant lesion of the breast.