Pathology - Acute mastitis

Pathology - Acute mastitis
Definition • Acute inflammation of the breast.

Epidemiology • Prevalent. • The majority are linked to either lactation or duct ectasia.

Microbiology • Staphylococci and streptococci in nursing women. • Staphylococci or anaerobic bacteria in females with duct ectasia.

Pathogenesis
Cracks in the skin are believed to facilitate bacterial entry into the breast, while milk stasis encourages the onset of illness. The most prevalent presentation is a painful, erythematous breast. • The establishment of an abscess may result in a breast mass. Macroscopy A pronounced region of acute mastitis may yield a discernible bulk. • Purulent exudate may be evident alongside abscess development. Cytopathology Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of an inflammatory breast mass typically produces purulent material that microscopically reveals a high concentration of neutrophils.

Histopathology • Acute inflammation is evident inside the breast parenchyma. The convergence of the acute inflammatory process may result in the formation of an abscess cavity. The neighboring breast tissue may exhibit lactational alterations or duct ectasia.
​
Prognosis: Drainage and suitable antibiotic therapy typically lead to resolution.