Differential Diagnosis for Mastitis vs Clogged Milk Duct
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Clogged milk duct: This is often the most common and likely diagnosis in breastfeeding women presenting with localized breast pain, swelling, and sometimes a palpable lump, due to obstruction of a milk duct.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Mastitis: An infection of the breast tissue, which can present with similar symptoms to a clogged milk duct, including pain, swelling, and redness, but often accompanied by fever and malaise.
- Breast engorgement: This condition can cause breast pain and swelling, especially in the early stages of breastfeeding, and may be mistaken for mastitis or a clogged duct.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Breast abscess: Although less common, a breast abscess is a serious complication of mastitis that requires prompt medical attention. It presents with severe pain, swelling, and sometimes a palpable mass, and can lead to sepsis if not treated.
- Inflammatory breast cancer: A rare but aggressive form of breast cancer that can mimic mastitis, presenting with rapid onset of breast swelling, redness, and pain.
Rare Diagnoses
- Granulomatous mastitis: A rare inflammatory condition of the breast that can present with similar symptoms to mastitis or a clogged milk duct, but is often associated with granulomatous inflammation on biopsy.
- Idiopathic granulomatous lobular mastitis: A rare condition characterized by granulomatous inflammation of the breast lobules, which can cause breast pain, swelling, and sometimes a palpable mass.