Mastitis refers to inflammation of the breast parenchyma, of
which there are a number of sub types : - puerperal mastitis :
occurs usually from infection with Staphylococcus during
lactation - non-puerperal mastitis : not related to lactation,
and occurs usually in older women - plasma cell mastitis
(mammary duct ectasia) : uncommon sub areolar inflammation
without associated bacterial infection. - granulomatous mastitis
: rare ; usually occurs due to tuberculosis or sarcoidosis
Clinically, the breast will be indurated, red and painful.
Nipple retraction may also be evident. Nodal enlargement is
common. The patient may often have systemic symptoms such as
fever or leukocytosis. On mammography, bacterial (puerperal or
non-puerperal) mastitis will usually feature ill defined regions
of increased density. On ultrasound, the skin will be thickened,
and abscess formation may be visible. - breast abscess formation
It is important to consider inflammatory breast cancer as a
potential differential. - 1. Weissleder R,