Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41526941›Full record

ArticleInfectious diseases of poverty2026

Tuberculous mastitis, the great imitator in breast disease: a case report with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Serena Vita, Claudia Piccolo, Gaetano Maffongelli, Alberta Villanacci, Nicoletta Fusco, Laura Scorzolini, Claudia Palazzolo, Ada Petrone, Angela Corpolongo, Carla Nisii and 8 more

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Infectious diseases of poverty, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

18 authors.

Serena Vita *National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy.
Claudia Piccolo *Department of Radiology, Fondazione Policlinico Campus Bio-Medico, via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy.
Gaetano Maffongelli *National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy.
Alberta VillanacciNational Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy. alberta.villanacci@inmi.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-6011-4709
Nicoletta FuscoNational Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy.
Laura ScorzoliniNational Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy.
Claudia PalazzoloNational Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy.
Ada PetroneNational Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy.
Angela CorpolongoNational Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy.
Carla NisiiNational Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy.
Fabrizio AlbarelloNational Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy.
Beomonte ZobelNational Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy.
Francesca SvegliatiOncology Unit, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, c.ne Gianicolense, 00152, Rome, Italy.
Franca Del NonnoNational Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy.
Daniele ColomboNational Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy.
Fabio Di CesareOncology Unit, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, c.ne Gianicolense, 00152, Rome, Italy.
Emanuele NicastriNational Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy.
Stefania IannielloNational Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundExtrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) remains a diagnostic challenge due to its nonspecific clinical manifestations, low bacterial burden, and the need for invasive procedures to obtain diagnostic samples. Breast TB, a particularly rare form, can closely mimic other conditions such as inflammatory breast carcinoma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old Peruvian woman with no relevant medical history was admitted with painful erythema of the right breast and two fistulous tracts secreting purulent discharge. Initial microbiological tests, including interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) and cultures, were negative. Imaging revealed multiple pulmonary micronodules, and breast biopsy demonstrated granulomatous inflammation with Langhans giant cells. Despite negative PCR and culture results for mycobacteria, empirical antitubercular therapy was initiated based on clinical, radiological, and histopathological evidence. The patient was initiated on standard antitubercular therapy, which was simplified two months later. Progressive clinical improvement was observed, with complete ulcer healing by month 4 and resolution of pulmonary nodules by month 7. By month 12, she remained in good clinical condition with no signs of recurrence.

conclusionsThis case highlights the diagnostic complexity of breast TB and underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the absence of microbiological confirmation. Clinical context, imaging, and histology may guide successful empirical treatment and improve patient outcomes.

Indexed as

Antitubercular AgentsMastitisTuberculosisAdultFemaleHumansMycobacterium tuberculosisPeruTuberculosis, ExtrapulmonaryAntitubercular AgentsAbscessBreastTuberculous mastitis

Identifiers

PMID41526941
PMCPMC12797753

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.