Breast filariasis presenting fibroadenoma like nodules: a rare diagnosis

Abstract

India has still not eradicated filariasis, which is still endemic throughout the country. This study focuses on the breast as a non-typical but not uncommon site of breast disease characterized by nematodes causing obstruction of lymphatic vessels caused by filariasis. The case described herein involves a 26-year-old married female who presented with a subcutaneous nodule in her left breast. Clinical interrogation of this case as part of the pathological diagnosis, phlebotomy was performed by venepuncture in order to examine peripheral blood smears under a microscope. Nonetheless, the peripheral blood smear did not show microfilariae of the disease. Furthermore, fine needle aspiration cytology was also performed to identify possible things for the study. It was diagnosed that the fine-needle aspiration cytology smears of various lesions indicate the lump carried microfilariae. Conclusively the lymphatic swelling was confirmed to be caused by Wuchereria bancrofti in fine-needle aspiration cytology examination without evidence in peripheral blood smears. It was shown that the subject had filariasis, and the patient responded well to daily treatment with diethylcarbamazine citrate for 42 days.