Assessment of Surgical management of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis

Abstract

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis is a rare benign breast disease. The prevalence of Granulomatous Mastitis is generally reported at less than 1% worldwide among women presenting with breast problems however, reports vary greatly by country and ethnic group and a study of granulomatous mastitis (GM) in the United States demonstrated a prevalence of less than 1% among women who underwent biopsy for breast diseases. In the UK, it was found in 0.98% of patients presenting at the breast unit. IGLM is a rare chronic non-specific inflammatory disease of the breast that mimics cancer both clinically and mammographically. Originally described by Kessler and Wolloch in 1972. The etiology of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis is still obscure.The cause may be the autoimmune process, infection, a chemical reaction associated with oral contraceptive pills, or even lactation. Various factors, including hormonal imbalance, autoimmunity, unknown microbiological agents, smoking and α 1-antitrypsin deficiency have been suggested to play a role in disease aetiology.