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. Needle aspiration was used in the cases of fluid collections < or = 3 cm and catheter drainage in fluid collections of > 3 cm. Postdrainage care and US evolutive controls were carried out on an outpatient basis. Fine-needle aspiration cytology was performed in masses unresolved after postdrainage. Mammography was performed in patients over 30 years old. In all cases, US examination revealed images of fluid collection. A single needle aspiration was sufficient in 19 cases; 3 patients needed a second aspiration to resolve the breast abscess. A total of 15 cases were resolved by means of percutaneous catheter drainage. In 2 of the 17 patients who underwent catheter drainage, the mass persisted postdrainage; histologic findings showed a chronic abscess requiring surgical intervention in one and a breast carcinoma in the second. Mean follow-up was 8.4 months. Recurrence of breast abscess occurred in 4 patients, and these were resolved by surgical excision. 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.