Differential Diagnosis for Breast Pain and Erythema in a Postpartum Woman
- Single most likely diagnosis:
- Breast abscess: This is the most likely diagnosis given the patient's symptoms of breast pain, erythema, and a well-circumscribed area of fluctuance, which are classic signs of a breast abscess. The patient's recent history of breastfeeding also increases the risk of developing a breast abscess.
- Other Likely diagnoses:
- Mastitis: This is an inflammation of the breast tissue, often caused by infection, and is a common condition in breastfeeding women. The patient's symptoms of breast pain, erythema, and fever are consistent with mastitis.
- Cellulitis: This is a bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, which could explain the patient's symptoms of erythema, warmth, and swelling.
- Plugged duct: This is a common condition in breastfeeding women, where a milk duct becomes blocked, leading to pain, swelling, and erythema.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses:
- Inflammatory breast cancer: Although rare, this aggressive form of breast cancer can present with similar symptoms to mastitis or a breast abscess, including erythema, warmth, and swelling. It is essential to consider this diagnosis to avoid delayed treatment.
- Necrotizing fasciitis: This is a rare but life-threatening infection that can occur in the breast tissue, characterized by severe pain, erythema, and swelling.
- Rare diagnoses:
- Granulomatous mastitis: This is a rare inflammatory condition of the breast, characterized by granulomatous inflammation, which can present with similar symptoms to mastitis or a breast abscess.
- Breast cyst or galactocele: These are benign conditions that can cause breast pain and swelling, but are less likely to present with erythema and fever.