Mastitis

Question 1

definition of mastitis?

Answer 1

inflammation of the breast

Question 2

risk factors/aetiology of mastitis?

Answer 2

• can be caused by milk stasis/over-production
• therefore can be lactational or non-lactational
• normally caused by Staphylococcus aureus

Question 3

epidemiology of mastitis?

Answer 3

• common in >30 smokers

- common in breast feeders

Question 4

presenting symptoms of mastitis?

Answer 4

• flu-like symptoms

- very tender breast

Question 5

presenting signs of mastitis after the physical examination?

Answer 5

• generalised swelling of the breast
• inflamed overlying skin
• skin is red and firm warm to touch
• UNILATERAL

Question 6

what might mastitis progress into?

Answer 6

an abscess

Question 7

how to manage a suspected abscess?

Answer 7

• IV or oral antibiotics
• FNA
• FBC and blood cultures
• surgical incision and drainage

Question 8

how to manage mastitis?

Answer 8

• if lactational = ENCOURAGE breastfeeding
• analgesia
• antibiotics is sometimes needed

Question 9

complications of abscess?

Answer 9

• Mammary fistula

- Rarely overlying skin may undergo necrosis

Question 10

what is the prognosis of an abscess?

Answer 10

• if untreated it may spill out onto the skin surface

- Non-lactational breast abscesses tend to re-occur