Monitoring
Mastitis usually resolves within 2-3 days of appropriate antibiotic therapy; further investigations should be considered if this is not the case. Alternative diagnoses to consider include resistant bacteria, breast abscess, an underlying mass, or carcinoma. Further investigation is also recommended if a patient has more than 2-3 recurrences in the same location as this could be caused by an underlying mass.[40]
Clinical follow-up is normally adequate following ultrasound-guided drainage of puerperal breast abscess as it usually responds well to treatment. Repeat ultrasound may be necessary if there is no clinical resolution after treatment, or a mammography if recovery is prolonged. In non-puerperal abscess patients should be re-examined with ultrasound at 14 days after drainage to check that the abscess has completely resolved. Where there is partial response to treatment, repeat ultrasound evaluation may be needed until the abscess has fully resolved.[30]
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