Granulomatous mastitis: gray-scale and color Doppler sonographic findings

J Clin Ultrasound. 1999 Mar-Apr;27(3):101-6. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0096(199903/04)27:3<101::aid-jcu1>3.0.co;2-i.

Abstract

Purpose: We examined the roles of gray-scale and color Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of granulomatous mastitis.

Methods: We retrospectively studied the clinical, mammographic, and sonographic findings in 10 women 24-57 years old (mean age, 35.9+/-13.9 years) who had a histopathologic diagnosis of granulomatous mastitis. All patients underwent gray-scale sonographic examination, and 8 patients were further examined with color Doppler imaging. Seven patients had previously undergone mammography.

Results: Mammographic findings were nonspecific in all 7 patients. Gray-scale sonographic findings were compatible with mastitis in 6 (60%) of 10 patients. Doppler examination showed increased arterial and venous vascularization within and around the lesion in 5 of 8 patients, but the spectral analysis findings were not specific for granulomatous mastitis.

Conclusions: Neither mammography nor Doppler sonography plays a significant role in the differential diagnosis of granulomatous mastitis versus fibroadenoma or carcinoma. Gray-scale sonography shows findings specific for granulomatous mastitis in some cases, but all cases require histopathologic confirmation for final diagnosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fibroadenoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Granuloma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Mammography
  • Mastitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color*
  • Ultrasonography, Mammary