Breast tuberculosis: analysis of 24 patients

Authors : Tibel TUNA, Serdar COŞKUN

Pages : 88-93

Doi:10.32322/jhsm.1005328

View : 11 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 2022-01-17

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Introduction: Breast tuberculosis is a disease that is difficult to diagnose with its clinical appearance and can be confused with breast abscesses and breast carcinomas. In this study, we aimed to analyze 24 patients diagnosed with breast tuberculosis, followed up and treated. Material and Method: Among 4489 patients examined in the breast diseases outpatient clinic between January 2012 and December 2020, patients diagnosed with breast tuberculosis were evaluated retrospectively. Demographic, clinical features, radiological findings, histopathological and microbiological findings of the patients were recorded. Diagnosis, treatment protocols and treatment outcomes were evaluated. Results: A total of 24 breast tuberculosis cases were analyzed in the study. The mean age was 41.6 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(28-64 years); and all patients were diagnosed for the first time. There was a history of oral contraceptive use in 10 patients. Among patients, 19 of them were in the reproductive age, and five patients were in the postmenopausal period. Four patients were in lactating period. On physical examination, breast mass was detected in 16 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(67%); patients, abscess was present in 5 patients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(20.8%);, and sinus and discharge were evident in three patients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(12.5%);. Breast ultrasonography revealed a breast mass in 16 patients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(67%);, abscess in eight patients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(33%);, and axillary lymphadenopathy in six patients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(25%);. The diagnosis was made by core biopsy in 10 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(41.6%); patients, fine-needle aspiration biopsy in three patients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(12.5%);, and incisional biopsy in 11 patients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(45.8%);. All patients were given quadruple antituberculosis therapy in the first 2 months for 9 months, and double antituberculosis therapy for 7 months. In addition to antituberculosis treatment, mass excision was performed in three patients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(12.5%);, segmental mastectomy in one patient insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(4.1%);, simple mastectomy in one patient insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(4.1%);, and abscess drainage were completed in eight patients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(33.3%);. Cure was achieved in all patients after treatment. Conclusion: Breast tuberculosis is a rare disease that can be difficult to diagnose unless the disease itself is suspected. As the diagnosis of the disease is delayed, the disease becomes complicated and the need for surgical treatment increases as well as medical treatment. Although there are different opinions about the duration of the treatment, in our study, cure was achieved with 9 months of treatment and no recurrence was observed in the 1-year follow-up. Since 10 patients had a history of oral contraceptive use, further research is needed to understand whether oral contraceptive use is a predisposing factor in the development of breast tuberculosis.
Keywords : extrapulmonary Tuberculosis, diagnosis, management