The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) reported grading criteria for conditions that may present as emergency general surgery, including serious infections of the breast.
Patient selection: infection of the breast
Parameters:
(1) clinical features
(2) imaging studies
Clinical Features
Imaging Studies
Grade
cellulitis with erythema, induration, edema, pain and tenderness
inflammation without fluid collection
I
simple abscess without loculations or involvement of the nipple/areola complex
single, circumscribed fluid collection surrounded by inflammation
II
complex or multiple abscesses with loculations and/or involvement of nipple/areola complex
with or without lymphadenopathy
III
breast abscess with axillary extension with or without thrombophlebitis
inflammation in the axilla with fascial plane thickening and lymphadenopathy
IV
breast abscess with chest wall involvement, extension into thoracic cavity or necrotizing fasciitis
inflammation extends into or through chest wall
V
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