[Percutaneous pigtail catheter drainage of peripheral breast abscesses]

Almost all peripheral non-lactational breast abscesses are staphylococcal in origin and so percutaneous drainage can be a valid alternative to surgical incision. Percutaneous drainage was performed in eight patients with one or more abscesses. A pigtail catheter was inserted only in foci greater than 3 cm. The results were good in 9 out of 10 purulent collections; one recurrence was observed in the smallest focus. All patients but one underwent local anesthesia and were managed as outpatients.