Developing a clinical indicator for obstructive mastitis

Mastitis is a painful condition of the glands and ducts of the breast, which jeopardises breast feeding. It can occur in the puerperium and is associated with initial breast engorgement. It can also occur outside the puerperium and take several forms: mechanical, inflammatory and infective. The mechanical and inflammatory forms may be precursors of the infective form. In this clinical note, medium dose ultrasound therapy is suggested as a worthwhile intervention to reverse the early symptoms of blocked ducts or obstructive mastitis. Its use is indicated by its suggested anti-inflammatory and mechanical effects (Kitchen and Partridge 1990).