The nipple-areolar complex: anatomy, methods and pathologic findings, between senologist and dermatologist.

The purpose of this presentation is to show the ultrasonography findings of normal variants and benign and malignant diseases that affect the nipple-areolar complex. Many of which have unspecific clinical and radiological presentations that can present a challenge for medical specialists. Experienced specialists need to know the different imaging modalities used to study the nipple-areolar complex and the aspect not exactly senology, as well as dermatologist who approach the ultrasound must know the anatomy of this complex area. We will show you a combined clinical and radiological approach to evaluate the nipple-areolar complex, the findings for the normal morphology and the most common benign and malignant diseases that can affect this region. We discuss the characteristics of the different ultrasonography findings and provide guidance on how to avoid artifacts and pitfalls.

Management of Mastitis, Abscess, and Fistula.

Peripheral nonlactational abscesses behave like other soft tissue abscesses and resolve with drainage and antibiotics. Subareolar abscesses tend to recur or develop fistulae between obstructed ducts and the border of the areola and are usually seen in women in their thirties who have a history of smoking or a congenitally cleft nipple. The underlying cause of subareolar abscesses and fistulae is the obstruction of terminal ducts due to keratin plugging caused by squamous metaplasia of the ducts. Successful resolution of the problem requires excision of the terminal ducts in and just below the nipple along with the correction of nipple deformity, if present.

Prevotella bivia: A Rare Cause of Zuska's Breast Disease.

Zuska's breast disease is a rare disorder leading to recurring subareolar abscess typically in obese patients with a history of smoking. The pathophysiology is a combination of ductal obstruction from squamous metaplasia and infection usually by anaerobic and gram-positive bacteria. Zuska's breast disease does not have a single standardized treatment partly attributed to the lack of physician awareness of the disorder. The initial management should include smoking cessation, anaerobic and gram-positive antibiotic coverage, and drainage of abscesses if present.

Modified techniques versus Hadfield's procedure in patients with periductal mastitis.

BACKGROUND: Periductal mastitis (PM) is a rare disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the terminal mammary ducts. Complete removal of terminal lactiferous ducts with Hadfield procedure is a previously defined technique in treatment but carries various complications risks. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of modified techniques in the treatment of PM. METHODS: Twenty women who underwent surgery due to PM between January 2012 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Types of PM were determined. All patients were operated on with three different incisions [Hadfield's operation with periareolar incision (n:11), periareolar combined radial incision (n:7), and round block incision (n:2)]. RESULTS: The mean age was 37.5 ± 6.5 years (range: 24-49). Sixty percent of patients had type 3 PM. In Hadfield's procedure, NAC retraction (n:2), seroma (n:1), and hematoma (n:1) were seen. In the periareolar incision combined radial incision group only one patient had complications (seroma) and none in the round block method. Follow-up was 12 ± 1.5 months and disease relapse occurred in two patients in the Hadfield group. Patients who underwent round block were more satisfied with the appearance of the nipple. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of PM, the main principle of surgical treatment is the excision of the affected canal with a clear margin. Apart from the classical Hadfield procedure, the round block method and periareolar combined radial incision techniques can be performed in the treatment of PM.

Toker cell hyperplasia in Zuska disease: A tricky association.

Toker cells (TCs) are sometimes present in the nipple epidermis as oval cells with pale cytoplasm and roundish nuclei. In most cases, TCs may be easily distinguished from cancerous cells of Paget disease of the nipple (PCs). Especially in TC hyperplasia, in which mild-to-moderate atypia may be present, it may be challenging to distinguish between TCs and PCs. The combination of chronic inflammatory changes in the nipple, in the context of Zuska disease, and TC hyperplasia, may easily lead to an erroneous diagnosis of mammary Paget disease.

Zuska's breast disease: Breast imaging findings and histopathologic overview.

Zuska's disease describes the clinical condition of recurrent central or periareolar nonpuerperal abscesses associated with lactiferous fistulas. Pathogenesis involves the occlusion of an abnormal duct through an epithelial desquamation process that causes ductal dilatation, stasis of secretions, and periductal inflammation. Patients with Zuska's disease may develop chronic draining sinuses near the areola from lactiferous ducts fistula; therefore, the underlying abnormal duct system must be located and excised for proper treatment. Zuska's disease is often misdiagnosed and mistreated and is associated with significant morbidity, including the recurrence of abscess and cutaneous fistula formation. This case series aimed to help clinicians investigate and manage this disorder. The clinical and imaging findings, histopathologic correlation, and treatment of Zuska's disease are discussed.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast in association with Zuska's disease.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women in the UK with well-defined algorithms of management in place in the western world. Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast is a rare entity and as such knowledge about the pathophysiology, treatment and prognosis are still uncertain. The report describes an unusual case of squamous cell carcinoma arising in an area of Zuska's disease of the breast. It illustrates the heterogeneity of the imaging findings with review of the literature. Decisions on management should be taken on an individual basis with full discussion in the multidisciplinary team meetings where all facets of the case are considered.

Subareolar breast abscess in male patients: a report of two patients with a literature review.

BACKGROUND: Subareolar breast abscess (SBA) is a rare infectious disease of the breast in male patients. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we report two male patients with SBA. Patient 1 was initially diagnosed with a malignant tumor based on imaging findings; ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic mass with blood flow. Patient 2 was diagnosed with inflammatory changes to his nipple; ultrasonography findings supported the diagnosis with an irregular hypoechoic mass with blood flow. Both patients received a cytological or histological biopsy preoperatively, which showed an abscess without malignant cells. CONCLUSION: These cases serve as an important reminder to consider complete resection of the tumor including the responsible mammary duct (tumor and duct resection (TDR)) for curative therapy of SBA.