A 35-year-old lactating woman presents with a painful, erythematous, palpable mass in the right breast for 5 days. Temperature is 38.2°C. Ultrasound shows a complex cystic lesion with internal debris and a thick wall, with surrounding hyperemia on Doppler. What is the most likely diagnosis?

• A Inflammatory breast carcinoma
• B Invasive ductal carcinoma
• C Galactocele
• D Breast abscess ✓

Explanation

In a lactating woman with fever, erythema, pain, and a complex cystic lesion with internal debris and surrounding hyperemia on ultrasound, breast abscess is the most likely diagnosis. Lactational mastitis can progress to abscess formation. Ultrasound-guided aspiration or incision and drainage is the treatment. Inflammatory breast carcinoma does not present with fever or a discrete complex cystic collection, and galactocele is typically painless.

Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.