Primary mammary tuberculosis: Clinical diagnostic dilemma

Background: Primary mammary tubercular swelling poses a clinical diagnostic dilemma owing to its atypical clinical pic- ture which may mimic breast malignancy or breast abscess. In all the three condition axillary lymph nodes are involved no doubt their consistency is variable. Keeping this in mind this study was carried out. Material and Methods: In our study, we report five patients with mammary tuberculosis who presented with painless mass during one year period. One patient was having involvement of ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes. Clinical diagnosis was confusing as all patients were in late twenties or late thirties. Fine-needle aspiration cytology proved the diagnosis. Results: Mainstay of treatment was Antitubercular drug therapy. In all the five patients lump resolved completely. None of our patient required surgical intervention. Conclusion: Breast Tuberculous is uncommon in countries where incidence of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis is very high. It continues to pose a diagnostic challenge due to its rarity, atypical clinical features and non confirmatory radiological modalities. Unnecessary mastectomy can be avoided if we keep this rare but medically treatable condition on back of our mind. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2015; 4(3.000): 153-156]