Breast Abscesses and Masses Questions & Answers

Updated: Nov 09, 2021
  • Author: Andrew C Miller, MD, FACEP, FAIM, Dip ABIM; Chief Editor: Jeter (Jay) Pritchard Taylor, III, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What are breast abscesses and masses?

What is the pathophysiology of breast abscesses and masses?

What is the prevalence of breast abscesses and masses?

What are the mortality rates for breast masses?

What is the morbidity of breast abscess and masses?

What are the racial predilections for breast abscesses and masses?

How does the incidence of breast abscesses and masses vary by sex?

How does the incidence of breast abscesses and masses vary by age?

How does access to care affect women with breast abscesses and masses?

What is the prognosis of breast abscesses and masses?

What should be included in patient information about breast abscesses and masses?

Presentation

Which history findings are characteristic of breast masses?

Which history findings are characteristic of mastitis?

Which history findings are characteristic of breast abscess?

Which physical findings suggest breast mass?

Which physical findings suggest mastitis?

Which physical signs suggest breast abscess?

What are the risk factors for malignant breast abscesses and masses in women?

What are the risk factors for malignant breast abscesses and masses in men?

What is the role of exercise and alcohol in the etiology of breast abscesses and masses?

What are the developmental causes of breast abscesses and masses?

What is the role of fibrocystic changes in the etiology of breast abscesses and masses?

What is the role of hyperplasia in the etiology of breast abscesses and masses?

What is the role of adenosis and fibroadenoma in the etiology of breast masses?

What is the role of papillary adenoma in the etiology of breast abscesses and masses?

What is the role of vascular lesions in the etiology of breast abscesses and masses?

What are the infectious causes of breast abscesses?

What are the infectious causes of mastitis related to breast abscesses and masses?

What are the potential complications of breast abscesses and masses?

DDX

What are the differential diagnoses for Breast Abscesses and Masses?

Workup

Which lab studies are performed in the workup of breast abscesses and masses?

What is the role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of breast abscesses and masses?

What is the role of computer-aided digital breast tomosynthesis in the diagnosis of breast abscesses and masses?

What is the role of MRI in the diagnosis of breast abscesses and masses?

What is the appearance of breast abscesses and masses on mammograms?

What is the role of incision and drainage in the management of breast abscesses and masses?

Treatment

How is the etiology of breast abscesses and masses definitively determined?

What is the role of antibiotic therapy in the treatment of mastitis?

What are the options for emergency department (ED) treatment of breast abscess?

Which specialist consultations are needed for the diagnosis and management of breast abscesses and masses?

What is included in after treatment monitoring of breast masses?

What are the treatment options for mastitis?

When is inpatient care indicated for breast abscesses and masses?

Which medications are used in the treatment of breast abscesses and masses?

When is transfer indicated for patients with breast abscesses and masses?

Guidelines

What are the most cited guidelines for breast cancer screening?

What are the American College of Physicians (ACP) breast cancer screening guidelines?

What are the American Cancer Society (ACS) breast cancer screening guidelines?

What are the USPSTF breast cancer screening guidelines?

What recommendations are shared by the major breast cancer screening guidelines?

What are the guidelines for use of MRI or digital breast tomosynthesis for breast cancer screening?

What are the French College of Gynecologists Obstetricians (CNGOF) breast cancer screening guidelines?

Medications

What are the goals of drug treatment for breast abscesses and masses?

What is the role of empiric therapy in the treatment of breast abscesses and masses?

Which medications are used in outpatient therapy for breast abscesses and masses?

Which medications are used for inpatient therapy for breast abscesses and masses?

Which medications are emerging as possible therapy for breast abscesses and masses?

Which medications in the drug class Tetracyclines are used in the treatment of Breast Abscesses and Masses?

Which medications in the drug class Sulfonamides are used in the treatment of Breast Abscesses and Masses?

Which medications in the drug class Lipopeptides are used in the treatment of Breast Abscesses and Masses?

Which medications in the drug class Lincosamide are used in the treatment of Breast Abscesses and Masses?

Which medications in the drug class Oxazolidinones are used in the treatment of Breast Abscesses and Masses?

Which medications in the drug class Glycylcyclines are used in the treatment of Breast Abscesses and Masses?

Which medications in the drug class Glycopeptides are used in the treatment of Breast Abscesses and Masses?

Which medications in the drug class Fluoroquinolones are used in the treatment of Breast Abscesses and Masses?

Which medications in the drug class Cephalosporins, 4th Generation are used in the treatment of Breast Abscesses and Masses?

Which medications in the drug class Cephalosporins, 1st Generation are used in the treatment of Breast Abscesses and Masses?

Which medications in the drug class Penicillins are used in the treatment of Breast Abscesses and Masses?

Which medications in the drug class Antibiotics are used in the treatment of Breast Abscesses and Masses?