Primary breast tuberculosis masquerading as carcinoma

Madhusudhan KS, Gamanagatti S 
Correspondence: Dr Shivanand Gamanagatti, shiv223@rediffmail.com

ABSTRACT
Although tuberculosis is a very common disease in endemic areas, isolated involvement of the breast is very rare. Any form of tuberculous mastitis may present with features of malignancy. Diagnosis is mainly based on identification of tubercle bacilli. We report a 50-year-old woman with primary tuberculous abscess of the breast which simulated carcinoma on mammography, and describe the importance of ultrasonography in differentiating abscess from malignancy.

Keywords: breast abscess, breast cancer, breast tuberculosis, tuberculous mastitis, tuberculosis
Singapore Med J 2008; 49:e3-5.