Granulomatous Mastitis of the Breast: A Malicious Mimic

Abstract

Granulomatous mastitis (GM) is a rare and benign condition of the breast. The condition most commonly affects women of childbearing age and is commonly associated with pregnancy, breastfeeding, and oral contraceptive use. The symptoms and imaging characteristics of GM often mimic those of breast carcinomas. Imaging findings tend to be less pronounced by mammography, and GM can be mammographically occult, making sonography important in identifying the condition. Proper identification of this entity is important to prevent misdiagnosis and/or delayed treatment. The diagnosis is commonly made by tissue sampling under ultrasound guidance.