A 32-year-old woman presents with sudden onset of pain, erythema, and warmth in the right breast. She is a smoker. Examination shows a tender, indurated area with peau d'orange but no discrete mass. Ultrasound shows no abscess. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A Periductal mastitis ✓
- B Inflammatory breast cancer
- C Mondor disease
- D Fat necrosis
Correct answer: A. Periductal mastitis
Explanation
Periductal mastitis classically presents with periareolar inflammation, pain, and erythema in young women who smoke. It mimics inflammatory breast cancer but lacks dermal lymphatic invasion on biopsy. Smoking is a key risk factor. Inflammatory breast cancer shows dermal lymphatic tumor emboli on biopsy and is not associated with smoking.
Reference: Bailey and Love Short Practice of Surgery, 28th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.