Primary breast tuberculosis: imaging findings of a rare disease

Baykan A. H., SAYİNER H. S., Inan I., Aydin E., Erturk Ş. M.

INSIGHTS INTO IMAGING, vol.12, no.1, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 12 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1186/s13244-021-00961-3
  • Journal Name: INSIGHTS INTO IMAGING
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Keywords: Breast, Tuberculosis, Extrapulmonary tuberculosis, Mammography
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Breast tuberculosis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis which tends to affect females of reproductive age, and is much rarer in males, postmenopausal women, and pre-pubescent girls. It is difficult to diagnose because it can mimic benign conditions such as a fibroadenoma, as well as malignant diseases like a carcinoma. It is also particularly difficult to distinguish breast tuberculosis from granulomatous mastitis, so other possible diagnoses should be ruled out first. The diagnosis of breast tuberculosis has three essential pillars: clinical examination, radiological evaluations, and histopathological sampling. Radiological evaluations are not only critical in diagnosis but are also important in the planning of the treatment and during the follow-up. This paper aims to review the imaging findings and the differential diagnosis of breast tuberculosis.