Ultrasonography-based Staging of Inflammatory Granulomatous Mastitis and Estimation of Steroid Response.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to present novel diagnostic ultrasonography-based classification of inflammatory granulomatous mastitis (IGM) and to assess and compare dosage responses of locoregional steroid therapy.

MATERIAL & METHODS: From January 2017 through March 2023 total of 230 biopsy-proven IGM patients were reclassified (Grade I, II, and III) according to ultrasonography-based morphological features.The injection applications were grouped in Group1 [40mg/mL between 2017-2019 years] vs. Group2 [80mg/mL between 2019-2023 years] and effectiveness analyzed for each grade in between groups.

RESULTS: Total mean age was 31 years old (range: 19-60) with median follow-up period of 7 months. The most common clinical presentation was breast mass accompanying draining skin sinuses of the affected skin and hypoechogenic mass with tubular extensions was the most prevalent feature on USG examination. As per USG-based features 79 (34.3%) patients re-defined as Grade I, 64 (27.8%) as Grade II, and 87 (37.8%) as Grade III.All patients underwent loco-regional steroid injection only. The average treatment in the first group was 6 (±3 SD) with effective dose of 40mg/mL and 4 (±2 SD) with 80 mg/mL in the second group. Generalized linear mixed model investigated effects in between groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: High dose steroid treatment was effective in burnout lesions (Grades II and III), and it was found to be statistically significant in lowering number of treatments irrespective of grade.

ADVANCE IN KNOWLEDGE: This novel classification could be a convenient tool in terms of common language between radiologists and clinicians. And our study is the pioneer in comparing steroid dosage with no relapse on IGM patients.