Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: A rare entity with a variable presentation

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare, chronic benign breast disease which may mimic a breast abscess or malignancy. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, and requires a high index of suspicion. Most patients present in the third or fourth decade of life. CASE SERIES: We present a case series of IGM with varied presentation, as a non-resolving abscess and as a lump, clinically appearing to be malignant. Patients required repeated drainage and/or lumpectomy. CONCLUSION: Although IGM is considered to be autoimmune in aetiology, however other infectious aetiologies causing granulomatous mastitis and malignancy have to be ruled out by histopathology. In the event of relapse immunosuppression may be required.