Tuberculosis of the breast. A cytomorphologic study of needle aspirates and nipple discharges.

A cytomorphologic diagnosis of tuberculosis of the breast by examination of needle aspirate and nipple discharge smears was made in 14 of 410 cases of mammary lumps and nipple discharges studied over a period of two years. The importance of aspiration cytology of breast lumps, which clinically may be diagnosed as benign or malignant lesions, is high-lighted. Although acid-fast bacilli were demonstrated in only one case, the clinical response to antituberculosis therapy was indirect but fairly convincing evidence supporting the cytologic diagnosis of tuberculosis of the breast in all 14 patients.