Hidradenitis suppurativa of the breast: a diagnostic dilemma

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin condition characterised by recurrent abscesses, nodules, sinus tracts and fistulas. The condition has a known diagnostic delay and well-documented negative effect on the quality of life of patients. When affecting the periareolar region, there is a capacity for confusion with other more mainstream surgical conditions of the breast. We present a case of a 35-year-old woman who was diagnosed with an acutely painful breast nodule with periareolar erythema and induration who was repeatedly misdiagnosed due to cofounding features on clinical assessment. We present this case as a diagnostic dilemma to raise awareness of HS as a differential when assessing surgical breast patients.