Filariasis of breast: An unusual presentation

Abstract

Lymphatic filariasis involving the female breast is unusual but not rare, especially where filariasis is endemic. In this report, we present a 38-year-old married woman presenting with a painless mass in the left breast of 4 months duration and slightly painful masses in both axillae for similar duration. Examination revealed a small, discrete, firm, non-tender mass in lower inner quadrant of left breast with associated bilateral, tender axillary lymphadenopathy. Mammography suggested a well-defined mass lesion in the left breast without any architectural distortion or micro calcifications. Ultrasonography (USG) of the breast suggested hypoechoic lesion in infero-medial quadrant of left breast and bilateral axillary lymphadenopathy. USG-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) from the breast lump showed non-specific findings like eosinophilic infiltrate and occasional granuloma, while that from the enlarged lymph nodes in the axilla revealed inflammatory cells, giant cells, and epithelioid cells. Histopathological examination of the lumpectomy specimen revealed adult microfilaria with characteristic morphology of Wuchereria bancrofti.