Ultrasound in medicine & biology
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Ultrasound Med Biol · Jan 2004
Percutaneous management of breast abscesses. An experience of 39 cases.
This is a review of our experience with percutaneous drainage by means of needle aspiration or catheter drainage of breast abscesses under ultrasound (US) guidance, and a suggested management algorithm. A retrospective study of the 39 patients (36 women, 3 men; mean age: 28.9 years) with breast abscesses who were treated by percutaneous US-guided procedures over a period of 13 years (1989 to 2002) was carried out. Of the 36 women, 34 were nonlactating and two lactating. ⋯ Percutaneous drainage procedures in breast abscesses are a safe and effective alternative to incision and drainage. Needle aspiration is employed in cases of small abscesses and catheter drainage in abscesses larger than 3 cm. Although, in chronic abscesses, the treatment of choice is surgical excision, percutaneous drainage remains as an intermediate therapeutic option.