Isolated Breast Sarcoidosis

Abstract

Background: Sarcoidosis is a rare non-caseating granulomatous disease of unknown origin that affects multiple systems in the body occurring more frequently in young women age 17-24 years. Cases with manifestations that doesn’t affect the common organs can be difficult to identify and delay the patient’s diagnosis, meaning that the finding of an isolated breast mass should include sarcoidosis as one of its differentials, to ensure early detection and a better prognosis. Case presentation: We present the case report of a 21-year-old female patient, who had noticed a palpable breast nodule associated with local pain and fever for 2 months. Physical examination detected palpable bilateral axillary lymph nodes, a nodule occupying the lateral quadrants of the left breast and bullous lesions, along with phlogistic signs in the same topography. The imaging exams of the chest, showed a solid-cystic complex in the lateral quadrants of the left breast, in addition to bilateral axillary lymph node enlargement. Laboratory tests was unremarkable. The histopathological tests detected fibroadipose tissue with noncaseating granulomas, neutrophilic microabscesses and Langerhans-type giant cells, causing chronic granulomatous mastitis, which may represent sarcoidosis. The lesions regresed after the use of corticosteroids. Conclusion: Despite its rarity, the clinical and imaging findings such as those of this patient, should warrant the consideration of breast sarcoidosis as a possible diagnosis given the importance of excluding similar conditions, such as neoplasms, early on.