A CASE OF COLD ABSCESS OF THE BREAST DUE TO BONE TUBERCULOSIS

A 69-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of a tumor in her right breast measuring 8.0×8.0cm without enlargement of axillary lymph nodes. A homogeneous tumor shadow was seen on the mammogram and an ultrasonogram showed a mosaic pattern, thickened walls and high back echo of the tumor. Chest roentgenogram revealed pleural effusion in the right lung and a CT of the chest showed destruction of the ribs. Since malignancy was present, partial mastectomy of the right breast including resection of the 6th and 7th ribs was performed. The pathology of the biopsy reported tuberculosis, based on the observation of epithelioid granulation, Langhans giant cells and tuberculous necrotic tissues. Oral antituberculosis regimen with isonicotinic acid hydrazide, rifanpicin and etambtol was started. It is important that physicians bear in mind the possible presence of tuberculosis when checking for breast tumors.