Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis and Erythema nodosum – A Unifying Pathophysiology?

Few have reported concurrence of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis and erythema nodosum, both of which have an unclear aetiology. A week after developing the breast lumps, she developed painful indurated bumps on the shins and calves (Figure 1a), with fever, cough and arthralgia. This is supported by the observation that both conditions affect females of childbearing age, and reports of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis occurring in lactating females.17,18 However, a recent paper observed that only 1 of 32 females with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis had a history of breastfeeding,19 although a counter argument notes that pseudo-lactational breast changes can occur in women who are not lactating. [Extracted from the article]