Tuberculosis is one of very common killer infectious disease in low income and developing countries mostly, India and Africa. Although the incidence of Tuberculosis of lung is high in these countries but tuberculosis of breast and in particular tuberculosis of nipple and areola is very rare. Constitutional symptoms are usually not present making its diagnosis even more difficult. It can be primary or secondary with tuberculosis focus somewhere else in the body. Here we present a case of primary tuberculosis of nipple with pustular discharge.
Tuberculosis (TB) of the breast is a rare illness, accounting for less than 0.1% of all breast disorders and mostly affecting women of reproductive age in endemic locations [1]. Even rarer is the appearance of TB in the nipple, which can readily resemble more prevalent illnesses such as mastitis, abscesses, or malignancies, making diagnosis difficult. This case report illustrates a rare presentation of tuberculosis infection limited to the nipple presenting with complaints of discharge, emphasizing the significance of addressing tuberculosis in unusual breast presentations, particularly in high-prevalence areas or immunocompromised individuals [2]. Imaging, histology, and microbiological confirmation were used to make the diagnosis, with antitubercular therapy serving as the primary treatment. This research underlines the need for enhanced awareness among practitioners regarding the risk of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in uncommon anatomical places, highlighting the role of early diagnosis and management to prevent complications.
A 23-year-old unmarried female came to dermatology outpatient department with a lump of size approx 1.5 cm * 1.5 cm sq over nipple areola complex (NAC) of right breast which was erythematous, tender with smooth surface and warm to touch. No visible discharge was seen from the lesion. A provisional diagnosis of subsiding furuncle with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation was made and was treated symptomatically.
The lesions recurred over a span of one month but now associated with discharge from NAC. The discharge was scanty, thick, foul smelling, whitish-yellow in color (Figure 1). No other swelling was noticeable over the breasts. Routine blood investigations including complete blood count, liver function test, kidney function test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C reactive protein were sent. The discharge was sent for gram stain, culture and sensitivity. Patient was also advised for chest X-ray and CBNAAT.
Figure 1: A) Fissured, eroded and retracted skin verlying the nipple; B) Presence of whitish-yellow purulent discharge on milking the breast. View Figure 1
Blood investigations revealed hypochromic microcytic anemia (Ht 34%, Hb 10 g/dl), lymphocytic white blood cell type, normal liver and kidney function, C-reactive protein (CRP) < 10 mg/L, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) 12 mm/h. Urine analysis revealed no pathology. Pus culture of the discharge showed evidence of Staphylococcus epidermidis sensitive to levofloxacin, gram stain revealed presence of acid fast bacilli (1-2/OIF), suggestive of mycobacterium tuberculosis or non-mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (Figure 2). Chest radiograph showed no abnormal findings (Figure 3), while CBNAAT was positive.
Figure 2: Acid fast bacilli present in gram stain. View Figure 2
Figure 3: Chest radiograph showed no abnormal findings. View Figure 3
The patient was treated with oral anti-tuberculosis therapy for 6 months.
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in today’s world. Extrapulmonary TB accounts for around 15% of all the TB cases. Breast involvement /NAC involvement is a rare presentation of extrapulmonary TB. TB of breast is a rare presentation because some organs like breast, spleen, skeletal muscle are more resistant to infection leading to decreased chances of survival of the tubercle bacilli. It is mostly unilateral and seldom affects females and very rarely is men affected. Peak incidence can be around 21 to 40 years of age [2].
The incidence appears to be more in the lactating females more probably due to dilated ducts and increased blood supply making it more prone to infections and macerations. However, our patient was young and unmarried. Other risk factors can be multiparity, trauma to the breast and any previous history of supportive breast infections [2].
The spread of the TB bacilli to the breast can occur through any of the following routes: hematogenous, lymphatic or by direct extension from the thoracic wall or the axillary lymph nodes, or by inoculation through traumatized skin or ducts [3]. However, the lymphatic route is often the most frequent route for contamination [4].
There are various methods to diagnose the TB but not all of them are readily available especially in the lower economic countries which are particularly more prone to the disease. The gold standard for the diagnosis of TB can be to determine the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by acid-fast bacteria Ziehl-Neelsen stain (AFB) or the isolation of the organism from the lesion on culture [1].
Other methods like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify the M. tuberculosis genetic material, Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)-which detects the presence of epithelioid cell granulomas and necrosis-is often used but is invasive, can be used where available.
Histopathological examination can be done to look for evidence of chronic granulomatous inflammation (with caseous necrosis and Langhans-type giant cells). Treatment generally involves anti-TB medications. In severe cases having axillary lymph nodes involvement surgical options can be explored [5].
Breast TB overall has a good prognosis. There are no specific guidelines for its treatment but standard course of six months ATT is sufficient in most of the cases starting with two months of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, followed by four months of isoniazid and rifampicin.
Breast tuberculosis, though rare, should be considered a differential diagnosis in cases of persistent nipple discharge, especially in regions where tuberculosis is endemic. Its atypical presentation, often mimicking more common breast pathologies, poses a diagnostic challenge that can lead to delays in appropriate treatment. Early recognition and diagnosis of this condition are crucial to avoid unnecessary interventions and to provide timely anti-tubercular therapy.
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Concept and design: Dr. Sibaram Panda; Collecting Data: Dr. Shini Choubey; Preparation of manuscript: Dr. Yash Dadh; Finalizing the manuscript: Dr. Jeeban Jyoti Mishra.
The manuscript has been read and approved by all the authors, the requirements for authorship as stated earlier in this document have been met, and each author believes that the manuscript represents honest work, if that information is not provided in another form.