Case presentation: Breast abscess

Abstract

Background: Breast abscess is a localized collection of pus within the breast tissue, often caused by bacterial infection like staphylococcus and salmonella organisms. It typically arises as a complication of mastitis. Breast abscesses, although more prevalent in lactating women, can occur in non-lactating women like in this case presentation and can pose a diagnostic challenge. Predisposing factors includes trauma to the breast, breast surgery, or preexisting conditions like diabetes or immunosuppression. Clinically, a breast abscess presents with symptoms such as localized pain, swelling, redness, and sometimes fever and malaise. Diagnosis, is primarily based on clinical examination, laboratory tests and imaging studies, such as mammography, ultrasound in order to confirm the presence and extent of the abscess. Treatment involves antibiotics to address the infection and drainage of the abscess, either through needle aspiration or surgical intervention, to remove the pus and alleviate symptoms. Prompt treatment is crucial to prevent complications such as sepsis or chronic infection. The prognosis is generally good with timely and appropriate management, although recurrence can occur.

Methods: This case report presents the radiological evaluation of a breast abscess in a 25-year-old non-lactating woman who presented in a radio-diagnostic centre in Umuahia with complaints of breast swelling, breast pain and fever for one week. Consent was taken from the patient and clinical examination revealed a small skin ulceration over the right breast mass, febrile patient with temperature of 38 degrees centigrade, laboratory test revealed elevated leucocytes with white blood cell count of (15,000/µL) and neutrophilia., fine needle aspiration biopsy/culture revealed staphylococcus aureus, imaging modalities, including mammography revealed a radio-dense mass in the right breast middle ring. Ultrasound revealed a Hypoechoic mass with thick wall, internal echoes and posterior acoustic enhancement with surrounding area of increased vascularity in the upper outer quadrant middle ring which is consistent with an abscess cavity. The diagnosis of breast abscess was confirmed, and appropriate treatment was administered.

Conclusion: This report aims to underscore the crucial role of radiological assessment, laboratory tests in diagnosing breast abscesses, thereby facilitating prompt and effective management.