Cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis: A study from tertiary care center in Kashmir

Abstract

Background: Cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis (CNGM) is a rare subtype of granulomatous mastitis with a distinct histological pattern. The current literature suggests strong association with Corynebacterium species, evidence of corynebacterial infection can be difficult to prove. Clinically, CNGM may be virtually impossible to discern from invasive carcinoma. Materials and Methods: The current study is 1 year prospective study from August 2021 to July 2022. A total of seven cases of cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis were reported. Results: Six out of seven patients were in the fourth decade of life. All of the patients presented with breast swelling and nipple discharge, whereas two patients had multiple discharging sinuses over the breast. Conclusion: Gram-positive bacterial infections have a distinctive pattern of inflammation in breast abscesses that can easily be overlooked. Pathologists should actively search for Gram-positive bacilli in distinctive cystic spaces. The importance of this is that prolonged antibiotic therapy against corynebacteria is often needed even beyond the resolution of symptoms in CNGM.