Objective:  To evaluate the utility of cytopathology and microbiological testing in diagnosis of breast infections.

Materials & Methods: This a retrospective study of cases presenting as mastitis and a review of 109 cases with regards to various laboratory tests in classification of mastitis and to identify their etiological agents.

Observation: Lactation was the risk factor for causing inflammatory breast abscess. Diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis also led to inflammatory breast abscess. 109 cases were included in this study. They were categorized into simple mastitis without abscess formation (24.7%), acute mastitis (52.2%), granulomatous mastitis (10%), fat necrosis (6.4%), hematoma (3.6%) and mastitis not otherwise specified (2.7%). Lactation was the risk factor in 44% cases of breast abscess. Diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis were responsible for non lactational inflammatory breast lesion. Granulomatous mastitis can be sub categorized by utilizing CNAAT, AFB staining & TB culture. Fungal stain and fungal culture sensitivity helps in making a diagnosis of Fungal mastitis.

Conclusion: Laboratory diagnostics in the form of FNAC, microbiological testing and biochemical parameters can be utilized in the diagnosis of various breast infections for specific management of patients.

Keywords: Breast abscess, FNAC, granulomatous mastitis, Tuberculous mastitis, Fungal mastitis, Diabetes.

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Dr Shailendra Munj

Senior Surgeon, Surgery Department, North District Hospital, Peddem, Mapusa, Goa, Pin 403507, India