title: Breast abscesses: evidence-based algorithms for diagnosis, management, and follow-up.
abstract: Radiologists who regularly perform breast ultrasonography will likely encounter patients with breast abscesses. Although the traditional approach of surgical incision and drainage is no longer the recommended treatment, there are no clear guidelines for management of this clinical condition. Breast abscesses that develop in the puerperal period generally have a better course than nonpuerperal abscesses, which tend to be associated with longer treatment times and a higher rate of recurrence. The available literature on treatment of breast abscesses is imperfect, with no clear consensus on drainage, antibiotic therapy, and follow-up. By synthesizing the data available from studies published in the past 20 years, an evidence-based algorithm for management of breast abscesses has been developed. The proposed algorithm is easy to follow and has been validated by a multidisciplinary team approach and applied successfully during the past 2 years. Breast abscesses are a challenging clinical condition, and radiologists have a pivotal role in evaluation and follow-up of these lesions.
authors: Centre de Recherche et d'Investigation des Maladies du Sein, Department of Radiology, Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montréal, 3840 Rue St-Urbain, Montréal, QC, Canada H2W 1T8. itrop@yahoo.com
authors: Isabelle
authors: I
authors: Trop
authors: Alexandre
authors: A
authors: Dugas
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: David
authors: Mona
authors: M
authors: El Khoury
authors: Jean-François
authors: JF
authors: Boileau
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Larouche
authors: Lucie
authors: L
authors: Lalonde
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000465:Algorithms; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004322:Drainage; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography; D008413:Mastitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009339:Needles; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents