Primary actinomycosis of the breast in postmenopausal women.

INTRODUCTION

Actinomycosis is a chronic infection caused by actinomyces species characterized by an abscess formation, tissue fibrosis, and draining sinuses. Primary actinomycosis of the breast is rare.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

In this paper we present a 64-year-old postmenopausal woman. For the diagnosis of primary actinomycosis of the breast, mammography, ultrasonography, MRI, and histopathologic examinations are required. Microbiological culture and histopathology are of the most importance during the process of diagnosis. In our case, at the intersection of the sternum and the lower inner quadrant of the right breast, there was a 1 cm wide fistula opening, and an abscess. A. israelii has been isolated from the microbiological culture taken from the lesion

RESULTS

An optimal surgical resection of infected tissues has been performed as the treatment with the wound left open for tertiary healing The patient was given sulbactam 4*1 gr/day intravenously for 4 weeks post-op.. Recurrence was not detected during the yearly follow up procedures

CONCLUSIONS

Actinomycosis should be considered when differentially diagnosing clinical instances of suppurative or granulomatous infections of the breast and mass regions that can't be ruled out as malignancies. Early diagnosis will save the patient from unnecessary surgical operations and ineffective antibiotic treatments.

KEY WORDS: Actinomycosis, Breast abscess, Breast diseases.