Abcesses usually occur as a complication of mastitis nursing women. Most abscess are due to Staphylococuss or Streptococcus species. Ultrasound is an excellent method of for detection and localization of breast abscesses. If associated with mastitis, skin thickening is almost always present and edema leads to diffusely increases echogenicity of the breast tissue. The abscess is usually ill-defined, irregular, hypoechoic mass with posterior acoustic enhancement. The same features can be seen in patients with hematoma and breast carcinoma. Mastitis and abscesses occasionally occur in nonlactating women and is associated with erythema, tenderness and warmth in the breast.
In this case, the cystic structure was aspirated with a 18 gauge needle. Thick purulent yellow fluid was aspirated and sent for culture and sensitivities.
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