Mastitis Flashcards
What is mastitis?
Inflammation of the breast tissue
It can be either acute or chronic
Most common cause
Infection by S. Aureus
Can also be granulomatous
Classifications
Lactational mastitis (more common)
Non-lactational mastitis
What is lactational mastitis
Seen up to a third of BF women and usually presents during the first 3 months of breastfeeding or during weaning.
Associated with cracked nipples and milk stasis
More common in first child
Explain non-lactational mastitis
Common with other conditions like duct ectastia as peri-ductal mastitis
Tobacco smoking is a risk factor as it causes damage to the sub-areolar walls and predisposes to bacterial infection
Clinical features
Tenderness
Swelling or induration
Erythema over the area of infection
Make sure there is no localised abscess formation
Management
Systemic abx and simple analgesic
In lactational mastitis continued milk drainage or feeding is encouraged.
Cessation of breasfeeding using Cabergoline can be considered in women with persistent or multiple areas of infection.
What is a breast abscess?
Collection of pus within the breast lined with granulation tissue.
This is most commonly from acute mastitis
Clinical features of breast abscess
Tender fluctuant and erythematous masses with a puncutum potentiall present.
Fever and lethargy might be present
Diagnosis of breast abscess
Can be confirmed via a USS if there is doubt of diagnosis
Management of breast abscess
Prompt empirical abx + US guided needle therapeutic aspiration.
Advanced abscesses may require incision and drainage under local anaesthetic.
Complication of drainage of a non-lactational abscess
Formation of a mammary duct fistula
They can be managed surgically with a fistulectomy and abx, but they often recur.
