Actinomycosis of the mammary glands is a specific bacterial lesion of the breast that occurs in a chronic form. The disease is accompanied by the appearance of various formations — abscesses and granulomas. Isolated actinomycosis of the mammary glands is very rare, most often there is a systemic lesion. Actinomycosis can affect one or both mammary glands. When diagnosing actinomycosis, immediate treatment is required, otherwise the disease can lead to serious complications, such as the formation of fistulas, fistula channels, ulcers.
The content of the article:
Causes of actinomycosis of the mammary glands
Symptoms of actinomycosis of the mammary glands
Diagnosis of actinomycosis of the breast
Treatment of actinomycosis of the mammary glands
Prognosis and prevention of actinomycosis of the mammary glands
Actinomycosis of the mammary glands
Causes of actinomycosis of the mammary glands
The causative agent of actinomycosis of the mammary glands is considered to be radiant fungi — actinomycetes. Since these pathogens are similar to fungi, and the course of the disease resembles mycotic lesions, actinomycosis of the mammary glands is referred to the group of mycoses. Infection with actinomycosis can be primary and secondary. With primary infection, actinomycetes that can inhabit the human oral cavity, for example, in teeth affected by caries, enter the mammary gland. The pathogen can penetrate through wounds, abrasions that form on the skin, through cracks in the nipples. Secondary actinomycosis of the mammary glands is observed when actinomycetes enter the mammary glands from other organs, for example, the lungs, through the blood. In this case, the soft tissues of the chest and ribs are immediately involved in the process, and then the mammary glands become the focus of the lesion.
Symptoms of actinomycosis of the mammary glands
With actinomycosis of the mammary glands, redness and severe swelling of the tissue appear at the place where the infection with actinomycetes occurred. The skin temperature rises significantly in the affected area. For some time, an actinomycotic nodule — granuloma – has been forming in the mammary gland. Such a focus of pathology is considered the main symptom of actinomycosis. Patients at this time most often find the appearance of formations in the form of small painful nodules around the nipples. If you do not start treatment of actinomycosis of the mammary glands at this moment, then new formations will appear around this nodule, the focus of pathology will increase. The process progresses very quickly, the nodules merge into one, while the formation of an abscess occurs in the mammary gland. Pus accumulates and can spread to other tissues. Then the abscess is opened, and at this point you can observe the formation of a fistula. Since there may be several ulcers with actinomycosis of the mammary glands, then there may be several such fistulas and fistula channels on the mammary gland. As a result, with actinomycosis of the mammary glands, connective tissue overgrowth, structural changes in the tissue, exacerbations of a number of diseases can occur. Fistulas with actinomycosis of the mammary glands do not heal for a very long time, periodically pus is released from the fistula canal. After a while, the fistulas at the site of the abscess are scarred, the skin at the site of the lesion acquires a purple hue. Such a scarred fistula is very difficult to eliminate, and it remains on the chest for a very long time. Therefore, you should consult a doctor at the stage of edema that has appeared on the mammary gland. After all, actinomycosis of the mammary glands is a non—contagious disease, without timely diagnosis of treatment, the process can be delayed for a long period and at the same time have a tendency to progress.
Diagnosis of actinomycosis of the breast
The diagnosis of actinomycosis of the breast begins with an external examination of the mammary glands and a survey of the patient. A qualified specialist will immediately detect an infiltrative focus of purple color or a fistula, from which pus flows out when pressed. Although there is no doubt about the diagnosis in this case, and there is no special need for additional diagnosis, the doctor directs the patient to a full clinical study. Examination of discharge from fistulas, namely bacteriological seeding and smear microscopy make it possible to detect the presence of actinomycetes in the focus, which are the causative agent of actinomycosis of the mammary gland. On an individual basis, with actinomycosis of the mammary glands, ultrasound and MRI of the mammary glands, mammography, ELISA and CT can be prescribed to patients. Such a thorough diagnosis makes it possible to distinguish actinomycosis of the mammary glands from syphilis of the mammary glands, chronic mastitis, tuberculosis. Only a correct diagnosis will ensure successful treatment, otherwise it is not worth counting on improvement for a long period.
Treatment of actinomycosis of the mammary glands
For the treatment of actinomycosis of the mammary glands, both drug therapy and surgical manipulations can be used. It depends on how far the process has gone, as well as on the characteristics of the patient’s body. If the diagnosis of actinomycosis of the mammary glands is carried out in the early stages, then drugs such as penicillin antibiotics, vitamin complexes, immunostimulants are prescribed for treatment. Treatment of actinomycosis of the mammary glands is quite long and can take several months. If during this time there is a progression of the disease, then it is necessary to resort to surgical manipulations. The purpose of the operation for actinomycosis of the mammary glands is to open ulcers, treat fistula passages, and eradicate fistulas. In particularly advanced cases with actinomycosis of the mammary glands, the doctor may prescribe resection of a part of the breast or mastectomy. Scars in the area of the mammary glands can remain forever.
Prognosis and prevention of actinomycosis of the mammary glands
In most cases, with actinomycosis of the mammary glands, there is a positive dynamics of the disease, but if the lesion of the mammary glands and the formation of an abscess occurred a long time ago, then treatment will be delayed for a long period, which will negatively affect the general well-being and efficiency of the patient.
As for the prevention of actinomycosis of the mammary glands, any woman should monitor her health: avoid injury to the breast, mechanical damage to the glands, bruises of the breast.
It is important to slow down all inflammatory processes in the body in a timely manner, to treat diseases of the lungs, nose, oral cavity. Regular mammary gland examinations by a mammologist will not be superfluous. This will eliminate the appearance of serious diseases, including actinomycosis of the mammary glands, and will provide confidence in your health.
