Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: July 9, 2025 • View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Differential Diagnosis for Pus from Nipple

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Mastitis: This is an inflammation of the breast tissue, which can be caused by an infection. It's a common condition in lactating women but can also occur in non-lactating women. The use of danzen (danazol) or myoflex (likely a muscle relaxant or a brand name for a medication) could potentially contribute to or exacerbate mastitis, especially if the medication affects milk production or ductal patency in lactating women.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Ductal Ectasia: A condition where the milk ducts in the breast become widened, leading to a blockage. This can cause an infection, leading to pus discharge from the nipple.
  • Periductal Mastitis: An inflammatory condition that affects the ducts under the nipple. It can cause a range of symptoms, including nipple discharge, which may be pus-like.
  • Breast Abscess: A collection of pus in the breast tissue, which can be caused by a bacterial infection. It's more common in lactating women but can occur in anyone.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Inflammatory Breast Cancer: A rare and aggressive form of breast cancer that can cause symptoms similar to mastitis, including redness, swelling, and warmth of the breast. It's crucial to rule out cancer in cases of persistent or severe symptoms.
  • Tuberculosis of the Breast: Although rare, breast tuberculosis can cause chronic infection, abscesses, and fistulae, leading to pus discharge from the nipple.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Granulomatous Lobular Mastitis: A rare inflammatory condition of the breast that can mimic cancer or infection. It can cause a range of symptoms, including nipple discharge.
  • Zuska-Atkinson Syndrome: A rare condition characterized by recurrent subareolar abscesses, which can lead to fistula formation and discharge from the nipple.

Each of these diagnoses requires careful consideration of the patient's history, physical examination, and possibly additional diagnostic tests such as ultrasound, mammography, or biopsy to determine the underlying cause of the pus from the nipple.

Related Questions

What is the treatment for a 16-year-old patient with a small focal nonocclusive pulmonary embolism (PE) in the posterior right lower lobe, and does she require transfer or discharge with outpatient follow-up?
What are the dos and don'ts of effective health communication?
What is the role of SGLT2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2) inhibitors, such as empagliflozin (Empagliflozin) or canagliflozin (Canagliflozin), in managing tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy with improved ejection fraction from 40% to 65%?
What are the dos and don'ts of health documentation?
Can Danazol (Danzen) or Myoflex cause pus from the nipple?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.

Ask Question