Primary Breast Tuberculosis Diagnosed by Sonographically Guided Core-Needle Biopsy

Abstract

Isolated tuberculosis of the breast is rare, even in developing countries where pulmonary and other extrapulmonary manifestations are endemic.' The reported incidence of tuberculous mastitis is 0.1% of all reported breast lesions worldwide, whereas in developing countries, it constitutes approximately 4.5% of surgically treated breast disease. 1-4 Primary breast tuberculosis is most often seen in -women between the ages of 20 and 50 years, is rarely bilateral, and may coexist with carcinoma. 5,6 It presents a difficult diagnostic dilemma, both clinically and radiographically. We describe a case of primary breast tuberculosis in a low-risk patient. Mammography and sonography were performed. The diagnosis was based on pathologic examination after sonographically guided core-needle biopsy. Nonspecific radiologic features and a review of the relevant literature are presented.