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Breast Abscess

Kelley V. Lawrence, IBCLC, MD, Emily Valentin-Mendez, MD and Lauren A Griffin, D.O. Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Breast abscess: Localized accumulation of infected fluid within the breast parenchyma

  • Mastitis: Breast inflammation with or without infection. This can be associated with lactation (p...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Tender breast lump, usually unilateral

  • Breastfeeding, weaning, or returning to work

  • Decreased breast milk supply on affected breast

  • Perimenopausal/postmenopausal

  • Systemic malaise (usually...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Cold and/or warm compresses for pain control  (3)[C]

  • Continue to breastfeed or express milk to drain the affected breast  (3)[A].

  • Drainage of abscess with antibiotics. Without ...

ONGOING CARE

  • If lactating, continue effective milk removal to prevent recurrence.

  • If planning to wean from breastfeeding, avoid abrupt discontinuation of feeding.

  • Consider smoking cessation to decrease ...

REFERENCES

1
Boakes E, Woods A, Johnson N, et al. Breast infection: a review of diagnosis and management practices. Eur J Breast Health. 2018;14:136–143.
2
Lam  E, Chan  T, Wiseman...

CODES

ICD10

  • N61 Inflammatory disorders of breast

  • O91.13 Abscess of breast associated with lactation

  • O91.12 Abscess of breast associated with the puerperium

  • O91.119 Abscess of breast associated with pregna...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Up to 11% of cases of puerperal mastitis progress to abscess formation (most often due to inadequate therapy).

  • Risk factors for mastitis and breast abscess include a combination of gene...

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