mastitis

What is Mastitis?

Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue, usually caused by an infection [1][2]. It can occur in both breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women, although it is most common in those who are lactating [3].

Symptoms of Mastitis

The symptoms of mastitis may include:

• Breast pain and tenderness
• Swelling and engorgement of the breast
• Redness and warmth to the touch on the affected area
• Fever or chills
• Foul odor from the nipple or areola

Mastitis can be categorized into two main types: lactational mastitis, which is the most common form, and non-lactational mastitis, which includes periductal mastitis and idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) [4].

Causes of Mastitis

The exact cause of mastitis can vary depending on the type. Lactational mastitis is often caused by a blocked milk duct or bacteria entering the breast through a break in the skin, while non-lactational mastitis may be caused by an infection or inflammation of the breast tissue [5].

Treatment and Self-Care

While mastitis does not usually require medical treatment, it's essential to seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen over time. Treatment options may include antibiotics, pain relief medication, and self-care measures such as applying warm compresses to the affected area and practicing good hygiene [6][7].

References:

[1] Context result 2 [2] Context result 12 [3] Context result 3 [4] Context result 4 [5] Context result 15 [6] Context result 8 [7] Context result 13

Common Signs and Symptoms of Mastitis

Mastitis, an infection of the breast tissue, can manifest in various ways. Here are some common signs and symptoms to look out for:

• Breast pain or tenderness: A sore or burning sensation in the affected breast is a classic symptom of mastitis [1][3].
• Swelling and redness: The infected area may become swollen, hot, and red, resembling a "wedge-shaped" swelling on the affected breast [8].
• Breast lump or thickening: A palpable lump or thickening in the breast tissue can be a sign of mastitis [1][4].
• Fever and chills: Some women may experience flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, and body aches [5][6].
• Nipple pain or discharge: In some cases, mastitis can cause nipple pain or discharge, which may be accompanied by a milk blister (bleb) on the areola [7][8].

It's essential to note that these symptoms can vary in severity and may not always be present. If you're experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

References: [1] - Symptoms · Breast tenderness or warmth. [2] - What are the symptoms of mastitis? [3] - Mastitis is when your breast becomes swollen, hot and painful. [4] - May 11, 2023 — Mastitis signs and symptoms [5] - What are some symptoms of mastitis? [6] - Mar 14, 2024 — A breast infection causes warmth, swelling, and pain in the affected breast. [7] - A milk blister, or bleb, is usually a painful white dot on the nipple or areola. [8] - Symptoms · A sore breast (mastalgia) or sore nipples.

Diagnostic Tests for Mastitis

Mastitis, an inflammation of breast tissue, can be diagnosed through various tests and examinations. Here are some common diagnostic tests used to diagnose mastitis:

• Physical Exam: A healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam to check for symptoms such as pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected breast.
• Somatic Cell Count (SCC): SCC is a common diagnostic test used to detect subclinical mastitis. It measures the number of white blood cells in milk, indicating an infection.
• California Mastitis Test (CMT): CMT is a semi-quantitative SCC measure that can be performed on farm to estimate SCC and detect mastitis.
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): PCR is a highly sensitive and specific test used to detect mastitis pathogens, providing accurate pathogen identification.
• Culture Testing: Culture testing detects living, viable organisms grown on a culture plate, but may have issues with false negatives due to non-viable bacteria.
• Ultrasound: Ultrasound imaging may be needed if the mastitis is linked to breastfeeding and doesn't get better with treatment in 48 to 72 hours.

These diagnostic tests can help healthcare providers determine the presence of mastitis and guide further treatment. It's essential to note that a diagnosis of mastitis is based on clinical observations or direct/indirect measures of the inflammatory response to infection, whereas a diagnosis of an intramammary infection is based on identification of the infectious agent.

References:

• [1] A diagnosis of mastitis is based on clinical observations or direct/indirect measures of the inflammatory response to infection.
• [9] Considering cost and ease of data collection, somatic cell count is the most common diagnostic test used for the detection of subclinical mastitis.
• [13] PCR minimizes the issues you may have with culture testing.
• [15] The diagnosis of clinical mastitis on a field basis is usually based on the detection of abnormal milk secretions, on the appearance of teats and udder symmetry.

Mastitis, an inflammation of breast tissue, often requires prompt medical attention to prevent complications and promote healing. The primary treatment for mastitis typically involves a combination of the following:

• Antibiotics: To combat bacterial infections, such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), which are common causes of mastitis. Antibiotic regimens may include:
  • Amoxicillin-clavulanate [7]
  • Dicloxacillin [5]
  • Clindamycin [7]
• Pain management: Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help alleviate pain and inflammation [3].
• Breast emptying: Completely draining milk from the affected breast is essential to prevent further infection and promote healing [8].

In some cases, more severe mastitis may require additional treatments, such as:

• Drainage via needle aspiration or surgical incision: To remove accumulated pus and fluid from the affected area [6].
• Frenotomy: A minor surgical procedure to release a tongue-tie or lip tie that may be contributing to the condition [2].

It's essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment, as mastitis can lead to complications if left untreated.

Differential Diagnoses of Mastitis

Mastitis, an inflammation of breast tissue, can be caused by various factors and may have several differential diagnoses. Here are some possible conditions that may mimic or be confused with mastitis:

• Abscess: A collection of pus in the breast tissue, which can cause pain, swelling, and redness.
• Benign breast mass: A non-cancerous lump or growth in the breast, which can be similar to a mastitis lesion.
• Breast Cancer: Although rare, inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) can present with symptoms similar to mastitis, such as skin changes, redness, and swelling [5].
• Cellulitis: A bacterial infection of the skin and underlying tissues, which can cause pain, swelling, and redness in the affected area.
• Mastitis itself: Mastitis can be caused by various factors, including infection (lactational or non-lactational), duct ectasia, or idiopathic causes [4].

Other conditions to consider

In addition to these differential diagnoses, other conditions may also need to be ruled out when diagnosing mastitis. These include:

• Galactocele: A milk-filled cyst in the breast, which can cause pain and swelling.
• Fibroadenoma: A non-cancerous tumor in the breast, which can be similar to a mastitis lesion.
• Lactating adenoma: A benign tumor that develops during lactation, which can cause pain and swelling.
• Pregnancy-associated breast cancer: A rare type of breast cancer that occurs during pregnancy or shortly after delivery.

References

These differential diagnoses are based on various medical sources, including:

[1] Jul 29, 2020 — Other differential diagnosis of mastitis may include: Cystosarcoma phyllodes · Breast cyst · Breast carcinoma · Lymphangioma · Furuncle ...

[2] by JP SPENCER · 2008 · Cited by 311 — Sore nipples can precipitate mastitis. The differential diagnosis of sore nipples includes mechanical irritation from a poor latch or infant ...

[3] Nov 9, 2021 — Differential Diagnoses · Abscess · Benign breast mass · Breast Cancer · Cellulitis · Mastitis.

[4] by E Boakes · 2018 · Cited by 164 — Mastitis with infection may be lactational (puerperal) or non-lactational (e.g., duct ectasia). Causes of non-infectious mastitis include idiopathic ...

[5] Jul 12, 2024 — Differential diagnosis. It is important to consider inflammatory breast cancer as a potential differential. References.

[6] by JM Dixon · Cited by 12 — DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS · TREATMENT · Clinical management · Antibiotic therapy · - Approach and patient counseling · - Antibiotic selection · - ...

[7] by HRN Seo · 2012 · Cited by 158 — The pathological criteria for the diagnosis of IGM include granulomatous inflammation with multinucleated giant cells, epithelioid histiocytes, ...

[8] Mar 9, 2022 — Complications include recurrence and breast abscess formation. Other, rarer forms include tuberculosis mastitis. Codes Copy. ICD10CM: N61.0 – ...

[9] by H Bell · 2013 · Cited by 18 — It focuses on the most common differential diagnoses: galactocele, fibroadenoma, lactating adenoma, mastitis and abscess, and pregnancy-associated breast cancer ...