Microfilaria detected in a female breast nodule- A rare incidental finding in FNAC

Abstract

Microfilaria is a major public health problem in tropical countries like India. It is most commonly diagnosed in peripheral blood smears, but detection of microfilaria in FNAC of breast is a rare finding. We are reporting a case of 35 year old female who presented with a painless nodule in left breast.  Fine-needle aspiration cytology from the nodule was done, aspiration showed many sheathed motile microfilaria likely Wuchereria bancrofti and the patient was put on anti-filarial treatment with Diethyl carbamazine citrate.  In endemic areas, it should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses of a superficial swelling. Despite its high prevalence, filariasis in female breast is a rare finding and careful screening of nodules help in detecting microfilaria even in asymptomatic patients and thus plays a significant role in recognition of the disease and institution of specific treatment.