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Breast Abscess in Lactating Women: US-guided Treatment¹

¹ From the Departments of Radiology (D.U., R.A.C.) and Gynecology and Obstetrics (M.K.G.N.), Karolinska Institute at Danderyds Hospital, S182 88 Danderyd, Sweden. From the 2002 RSNA scientific assembly. Received April 12, 2003; revision requested July 1; revision received December 12; accepted January 30, 2004. Address correspondence to D.U. (e-mail: dieter @swipnet.se).

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the use of ultrasonography (US)-guided treatment of breast abscesses in lactating women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eight consecutive lactating women who were clinically suspected of having a breast abscess were examined with US. Abscesses depicted at US were treated with US guidance, and the success of US-guided treatment was retrospectively determined.

RESULTS: Fifty-six abscesses were identified at US in 43 women; all abscesses were treated with US guidance: 23 with needle aspiration and 33 with catheter drainage. Treatment method was determined according to the size of the abscess. Abscesses that were smaller than 3 cm in maximum diameter were treated with needle aspiration, and abscesses that were 3 cm or larger in maximum diameter were treated with catheter insertion. One patient who was treated with needle aspiration subsequently underwent surgical intervention; all others were successfully treated with US intervention. Catheter placement was well tolerated (mean pain score 2.3 in 22 women by using a subjective pain scale of 0–10).

CONCLUSION: US-guided needle aspiration of abscesses smaller than 3 cm and US-guided catheter drainage of abscesses 3 cm or larger are successful means of treating breast abscesses.

© RSNA, 2004

Index terms: Abscess, percutaneous drainage, 00.1262 • Breast, abscess, 00.212 • Breast, lactation, 00.54 • Breast, US, 00.1298, 00.12983 • Ultrasound (US), guidance, 00.12985, 00.12986

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