Subareolar abscess of the breast: diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration

Abstract

In a review of more than 1,600 fine-needle aspirates of the breast, the authors identified ten cases of subareolar abscess. This is a clinicopathologic entity well known to surgeons but seemingly unrecognized by pathologists. In this report, the authors describe the cytologic appearance of the lesion, discuss the role of fine-needle aspiration in its diagnosis, and familiarize pathologists with the histology and management of this disease.