title: Breast abscess after nipple piercing: sonographic findings with clinical correlation.
abstract: The purpose of this series was to review the spectrum of clinical and sonographic features associated with infection after nipple piercing. Between 2002 and 2010, 6 patients presented to our breast center with a breast abscess after nipple piercing. A retrospective analysis of the imaging findings was performed with clinical and pathologic correlation. Patients with breast infections after nipple piercing tend to be young, and the timing since piercing varies from 2 weeks to 17 months. Sonography showed a complex or hypoechoic mass in 5 of 6 patients. Treatment of breast abscesses included surgical incision and drainage, percutaneous drainage, and antibiotic therapy. Surgical evacuation is commonly performed; however, sonographically guided aspiration may be an appropriate management strategy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1400 Pelham Pkwy S, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. ajleibman@pol.net
authors.forename: A Jill
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Leibman
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Misra
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castaldi
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D046288:Body Piercing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008327:Mammography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary