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Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 6/2010

01-12-2010 | General Gynecology

Breast abscess following nipple piercing: a case report and review of the literature

Authors: Smaragda Kapsimalakou, Isabell Grande-Nagel, Martin Simon, Dorothea Fischer, Marc Thill, Beate M. Stöckelhuber

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 6/2010

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Abstract

Background

Nipple piercing gains popularity and social acceptance within the last years, especially among young people. The medical literature reports an increase of complications in the post-piercing period.

Case report

We report a case of a young woman, who presented with a light enlargment of the right breast and tenderness in the retroareolar region following nipple piercing 5 months ago. On ultrasound, a poorly marginated hypoechoic lesion was seen which was suspicious of an inflammation. After 1 week of antibiotic therapy, the mass had enlarged. As carcinoma could not be excluded, open biopsy was performed. Histology showed signs of chronic mastitis.

Conclusion

To date, only a few reports of breast abscess after nipple piercing have been published. With the increasing prevalence of body piercing, it is important to document and report infections which may be discovered many months following piercing. Carcinoma can mimick breast abscess and should be included in the differential diagnosis.
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Metadata
Title
Breast abscess following nipple piercing: a case report and review of the literature
Authors
Smaragda Kapsimalakou
Isabell Grande-Nagel
Martin Simon
Dorothea Fischer
Marc Thill
Beate M. Stöckelhuber
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 6/2010
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1560-8

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