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Multicentric Breast Abscesses in a Patient Who Had COVID-19
Mary Van Wert1, Michael Ghio2, Caroline Graham2
1Department of Surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA.
Insights
This case report details a rare instance of sterile breast abscesses in a patient recovering from severe COVID-19. The findings suggest a potential link between COVID-19 infection and unusual breast pathology.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a multisystem illness with emerging complications.
- Systemic inflammatory responses can manifest in various organs during severe COVID-19.
Observation:
- A 50-year-old female with diabetes and breast implants developed painful, multicentric breast masses post-COVID-19 hospitalization.
- Imaging revealed multiple oval masses, leading to biopsy and debridement.
Findings:
- Histopathology confirmed sterile abscesses in the breast tissue.
- These abscesses were hypothesized to result from a COVID-19-associated vasculitis-like process.
Implications:
- This is the first reported case of breast pathology linked to COVID-19.
- Highlights the need for systematic breast evaluations in patients with COVID-19 infections.
Abstract:
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is recognized as a multisystem disease affecting the whole body, with new complications from the disease being described on an almost-daily basis. Case Report: We report the case of a 50-year-old female with a medical history of diabetes and silicone breast implants who developed right-sided, multicentric breast masses after a prolonged hospitalization for COVID-19 infection complicated by renal failure requiring dialysis. The patient noted an onset of breast pain and masses, and subsequent imaging demonstrated multiple similar oval masses. She underwent biopsy and operative debridement of the lesions and recovered appropriately. Results were consistent with sterile abscesses that were considered secondary to a vasculitis-like process associated with COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this case is the first account of breast pathology associated with a diagnosis of COVID-19 in the medical literature and encourages systematic evaluations of patients with coronavirus infections, including breast examinations.
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