S152 Jornal de Pediatria - Vol. 80, No.5(suppl), 2004
Breast abscess
In general, breast abscess is caused by untreated
mastitis or results from late or inefficient treatment. It
affects 5 to 10% of women with mastitis. Improper emptying
of the breast affected by mastitis, which often occurs when
feeding is discontinued on that breast, favors the development
of breast abscess.
The abscess can be detected by a floating sensation on
palpation, but it is not always possible to confirm or rule
out the presence of abscess only through clinical
examination. Ultrasonography can confirm the disease,
also indicating the best site for incision or aspiration