Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis: A Case of Breast Tuberculosis and Literature Review.
- 1Pulmonology Department, Mohamed VI University Hospital, Laboratoire de Recherche et d'Innovation en Sciences de Santé (LARISS), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Agadir, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, MAR.
- 2Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Mohammed VI of Agadir, Agadir, MAR.
Abstract
Breast tuberculosis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that can closely mimic other breast diseases, particularly pyogenic abscesses and breast cancer, making its diagnosis challenging. We report the case of a 31-year-old woman who presented with a breast swelling initially managed as a pyogenic abscess. Despite antibiotic therapy with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, no clinical improvement was observed. Given the persistent breast lesion, further investigation was performed, including a percutaneous breast biopsy. Histopathological examination revealed epithelioid and giant cell granulomas with caseous necrosis, findings strongly suggestive of breast tuberculosis. The patient was subsequently managed with antituberculous therapy, with favorable clinical evolution. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges associated with breast tuberculosis, particularly its clinical and radiological similarity to breast cancer and bacterial breast abscesses. A high index of suspicion is essential, especially in endemic settings or in patients with breast lesions that do not respond to conventional antibiotic treatment. Histopathological examination remains crucial for establishing the diagnosis and avoiding inappropriate or potentially mutilating surgical treatment.
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BibTeX
@article{baani2026extrapulmonary,
title = {{Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis: A Case of Breast Tuberculosis and Literature Review.}},
author = {Ghita Baani and Salma Abrar and Hanane Ikrou and Halloumi Oussama},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.117626},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42999725},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis: A Case of Breast Tuberculosis and Literature Review.
AU - Ghita Baani
AU - Salma Abrar
AU - Hanane Ikrou
AU - Halloumi Oussama
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/08
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.117626
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42999725
AB - Breast tuberculosis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that can closely mimic other breast diseases, particularly pyogenic abscesses and breast cancer, making its diagnosis challenging. We report the case of a 31-year-old woman who presented with a breast swelling initially managed as a pyogenic abscess. Despite antibiotic therapy with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, no clinical improvement was observed. Given the persistent breast lesion, further investigation was performed, including a percutaneous breast biopsy. Histopathological examination revealed epithelioid and giant cell granulomas with caseous necrosis, findings strongly suggestive of breast tuberculosis. The patient was subsequently managed with antituberculous therapy, with favorable clinical evolution. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges associated with breast tuberculosis, particularly its clinical and radiological similarity to breast cancer and bacterial breast abscesses. A high index of suspicion is essential, especially in endemic settings or in patients with breast lesions that do not respond to conventional antibiotic treatment. Histopathological examination remains crucial for establishing the diagnosis and avoiding inappropriate or potentially mutilating surgical treatment.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -