Vacuoles in the Breast: A Histologic Clue for an Unusual Presentation of an Atypical Organism

Infections with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are increasing in prevalence worldwide, and this group of organisms is emerging as significant clinical pathogens. We present a case of a 58-year-old female with persistent furuncles of the breast who was found to have an NTM infection. This case is unique for the lack of risk factors for NTM in the patient’s history, the location of the infection in the breast, and the close cooperation needed across disciplines to arrive at the diagnosis. This multi-disciplinary discussion considers the classic clinical presentation of NTM, it is a characteristic morphological appearance on histopathology, the differential diagnosis, treatment, and the ultimate outcome of the case. This case report and discussion will assist both clinicians and pathologists in the diagnosis of this important infectious disease.