PRIMARY BREAST TUBERCULOSIS DIAGNOSED BY FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY - A RARE CASE REPORT

Primary Breast Tuberculosis is an uncommon disease entity even in developing countries where pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis are very common. Breast Tuberculosis presents clinically as non-healing ulcer or breast abscess but may even mimic Breast Carcinoma. Even imaging studies like mammography are of little help in diagnosing these cases precisely. As such, only fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or histopathological examination following biopsy can provide a definitive diagnosis. Since Anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) is the mainstay of treatment of these lesions, a prompt diagnosis needs to be done. We present here a case of Primary Breast Tuberculosis which was initially mistaken as breast abscess and failed to heal with repeated courses of antibiotic therapy. However, the case was correctly diagnosed by FNAC. The patient was then put on ATT for six months and was cured.