Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis is a rare, benign inflammatory breast disease which can mimic breast carcinoma radiologically. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging findings may help for diagnosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate ultrasound, MRI, diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI findings of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis.
METHODS
12 patients were enrolled in this study. All patients were examined with ultrasound, diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. Morphological characteristics, apparent diffusion coefficient values and time-intensity curves of lesions were evaluated.
RESULTS
Ultrasound and non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging showed heterogenous masses and dilated ducts. Non-mass-like enhancement, mass-like enhancement and ring-like enhancement were identified on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. Lesions showed type 1, type 2 or type 3 enhancement patterns. Type 3 curve changed into type 1 curve after steroid therapy in one patient. The mean apparent diffusion coefficient value of lesions was 1.01 ± 0.06 (× 10 -3 mm2/s).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI findings may generally help to differantiate malignancy from idiopathic granulomatous mastitis, however, idiopathic granulomatous mastitis can show type 3 kinetic curves rarely, similar to malignancy. Neverthless, type 3 curves can change to type 1 curves after drug therapy in idiopathic granulomatous mastitis contrast to malignancy. Apparent diffusion coefficient values of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis were similar to malignancies. For definite diagnosis, biopsy still remains its importance of diagnosis for idiopathic granulomatous mastitis.