Subareolar Breast Abscess in a Male: A Case Report

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2023-07, Vol.15 (7)
• Main Authors: Yoshino, Ryusei, Yoshida, Nana, Ito, Akane, Ujiie, Nanami, Nakatsubo, Masaki, Kamikokura, Yuki, Kitada, Masahiro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abscesses; Antibiotics; Antigens; Biopsy; Blood; Breast cancer; Cancer therapies; Cardiac/Thoracic/Vascular Surgery; Case reports; Disease; Drug resistance; Erythema; General Surgery; Infectious Disease; Inflammation; Magnetic resonance imaging; Mammography; Medical imaging; Neutrophils; Staphylococcus infections; Ultrasonic imaging; Womens health
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42623

A subareolar breast abscess (SBA) is caused by the formation of an inflammatory abscess around the milk duct. SBAs usually occur in females, and reports of SBAs in males are very rare. This study reports the case of a 62-year-old male patient who presented with a subcutaneous nodule and diffuse erythema around the left nipple. Ultrasonography revealed a mixed lesion measuring 2.5 x 1.5 cm, mostly cystic. A computed tomography scan of the chest showed an irregular, nodular structure in the same area. Magnetic resonance imaging with contrast enhancement suggested an abscess. A needle biopsy was performed on the lesion, and results showed moderate inflammatory cell infiltration, including lymphocytes, plasma cells, neutrophils, and abscess formation, thus leading to the diagnosis of SBA. The patient did not strongly desire a surgical procedure. He was treated with the cephem antibiotic cefaclor and antipyretic analgesics. During the six-month healing period, cefaclor was administered for a total of six weeks. Once he improved, recurrence was observed two years after the onset of the disease; however, the symptoms improved with conservative treatment, such as warm compresses. Preventive measures should be considered as SBAs are prone to recurrence.