Mastitis
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
Risk factors include missed feedings, nipple damage from breastfeeding attempts, infant attachment difficulties, rapid weaning, pressure on the breasts from brassieres or other compressive clothing, history of prior mastitis, and incomplete breast emptying with feedings.
Infection is most commonly due to Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus albus. Escherichia coli and some streptococcal species are rare but may also be encountered.
Patients will present with sudden onset of fever and myalgias as well as warmth, tenderness, swelling, and an erythematous plaque. Complications include recurrence and breast abscess formation.
Other, rarer forms include tuberculosis mastitis.
Codes
ICD10CM:N61.0 – Mastitis without abscess
SNOMEDCT:
266579006 – Inflammatory disorder of breast
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Breast abscess
- Plugged milk duct (unilateral pain / lump usually without fever / myalgias)
- Galactocele
- Severe breast engorgement (postpartum)
- Hidradenitis suppurativa
- Breast cancer
- Inflammatory breast cancer
- Granulomatous mastitis
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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References
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Last Reviewed:10/06/2021
Last Updated:03/09/2022
Last Updated:03/09/2022