OBJECTIVE: To analyze the history of relapses in idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) and to define an appropriate therapeutic strategy. The duration and number of relapses are unpredictable, and the roles of surgery and corticosteroids remain controversial. STUDY DESIGN: A series of 14 patients with IGM and a mean follow-up of 61.5 ± 73 (SD) months were retrospectively studied in the Gynecology Unit (Hotel Dieu Hospital, Paris, France). Main outcome measure was number of relapses per year before and following corticosteroid therapy. Comparison of the two groups was performed with matched t-test. RESULTS: A total of 125 episodes were analyzed. Before steroid treatment, 60 recurrences occurred, corresponding to a mean of 4.03 ± 4.22 (SD) relapses per year. After the first treatment with prednisone, patients experienced 47 relapses, representing a mean of 1.11 ± 1.27 (SD) relapses per year (p = 0.0371). CONCLUSIONS: Medical treatment with steroid reduces the duration and number of episodes. It also prevents the need for invasive breast surgery.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the history of relapses in idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) and to define an appropriate therapeutic strategy. The duration and number of relapses are unpredictable, and the roles of surgery and corticosteroids remain controversial. STUDY DESIGN: A series of 14 patients with IGM and a mean follow-up of 61.5 ± 73 (SD) months were retrospectively studied in the Gynecology Unit (Hotel Dieu Hospital, Paris, France). Main outcome measure was number of relapses per year before and following corticosteroid therapy. Comparison of the two groups was performed with matched t-test. RESULTS: A total of 125 episodes were analyzed. Before steroid treatment, 60 recurrences occurred, corresponding to a mean of 4.03 ± 4.22 (SD) relapses per year. After the first treatment with prednisone, patients experienced 47 relapses, representing a mean of 1.11 ± 1.27 (SD) relapses per year (p = 0.0371). CONCLUSIONS: Medical treatment with steroid reduces the duration and number of episodes. It also prevents the need for invasive breast surgery.