Breast abscess after intravenous methamphetamine injection into the breast

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Infectious Disease
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Intravenous drug use (IDU) presents significant public health challenges.
• Complications from IDU can range from localized infections to systemic illness.
• The mammary vein is an uncommon site for drug injection, making associated complications rare.

Observation:

• A young female presented with a breast abscess.
• The patient reported a history of methamphetamine injection.
• The injection was targeted at the mammary vein.

Findings:

• Methamphetamine injection into the mammary vein resulted in a breast abscess.
• The abscess formation represents a direct consequence of the injection.
• Microbial contamination or chemical irritation from the drug likely contributed.

Implications:

• This case underscores the diverse and severe risks of IDU.
• Breast abscesses in young women should prompt consideration of unusual causes, including IDU.
• Awareness of such complications is crucial for clinicians managing patients with a history of IDU.