Primary breast tuberculosis: imaging findings of a rare disease

Breast tuberculosis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis which tends to affect females of reproductive age, and is much rarer in males, postmenopausal women, and pre-pubescent girls. It is difficult to diagnose because it can mimic benign conditions such as a fibroadenoma, as well as malignant diseases like a carcinoma. It is also particularly difficult to distinguish breast tuberculosis from granulomatous mastitis, so other possible diagnoses should be ruled out first. The diagnosis of breast tuberculosis has three essential pillars: clinical examination, radiological evaluations, and histopathological sampling. Radiological evaluations are not only critical in diagnosis but are also important in the planning of the treatment and during the follow-up. This paper aims to review the imaging findings and the differential diagnosis of breast tuberculosis.

Automated summary

Breast tuberculosis primarily affects females of reproductive age, with males, postmenopausal women, and pre-pubescent girls being much less affected. The diagnosis of breast tuberculosis relies on clinical examination, radiological evaluations, and histopathological sampling, with other possible diagnoses needing to be ruled out first.