Six Cases of Male Subareolar Abscess

Abstract

Subareolar abscesses commonly occur in women and rarely in men. We report on six cases of male subareolar abscess.

Of a total of 138 patients diagnosed with subareolar abscess or breast abscess at our hospital from January 2012 to December 2020, six male patients were enrolled in this study. We have examined them in terms of the following factors : age, part of the disease (left or right), tumor diameter, smoking history, detected bacteria, treatment method and prognosis.

Their ages ranged from 30 to 49 years old. In four cases the right mammary gland was affected and in two cases the left. The tumor diameters ranged from 11 to 28 mm. In three cases drainage was done at the time of diagnosis ; in two cases aspiration was performed ; and in the remaining one case drainage with a tube was performed. In four cases the patients took oral antibiotics (cefcapene pivoxil). The two patients who had had only aspiration experienced relapse, so drainage was performed at the time of recurrence. The post-treatment observation period was from 1 to 73 months in four patients who had not have relapse after drainage.

In treating subareolar abscess in men, even incisional drainage may be effective by sufficient drainage and the use of appropriate antibiotics.