Breast Abscess & Mastitis

Question 1

Breast abscess

Answer 1

Complication of infectious mastitis
Mostly occur in breastfeeding women

Question 2

Most common infective organism in breast abscess’

Answer 2

Stpahylococcus aureus

Question 3

Pathophysiology of breast abscess

Answer 3

• mastitis infected following bacterial contimation from skin
• abscess formation involves creating capsule of granulomatous tissue around infection to contain it

Question 4

Clinical features of breast abscess

Answer 4

Local:
- tenderness and pain
- swelling
- erythema and warmth
- nipple discharge
- nipple retraction
- skin changes
- lymphadenopathy

Systemic:
- fever and chills
- malaise and fatigue
- tachycardia

Question 5

Managing breast abscess’

Answer 5

1) Surgical management
- needle aspiration/surgical incision and drainage

2) Adjuvant medical treatment
- IV antibiotics

3) breast emptying & continued feeding

Question 6

Mastitis

Answer 6

Most common in breastfeeding women
Caused by bacterial infection, blocked milk ducts, or both

Question 7

Managing mastitis

Answer 7

1. continue breastfeeding
2. analgesia & warm compress
3. antibiotics - flucloxacillin (10-14 days)
4. expressing/breastfeeding to continue during abs

Question 7

Symptoms of mastitis

Answer 7

• breast pain
• swelling
• redness
• warmth
• fever
• flu-like sumptoms