Zuska's Disease

Zuska's Disease, also known as lactiferous fistula, is a rare recurrent condition characterized by draining abscesses around the nipple. It is often misdiagnosed and mistreated, occasionally resulting in unnecessary mastectomy. Symptoms include swelling or subareolar mass, a draining fistula from behind the areola, thick discharge from the nipple, or painful discharge.

According to Passaro, et al, the definitive therapy involved excision of the fistula and all of the retroareolar fibroglandular tissue, along with ductal tissue within the nipple. [Passar, M. et al (1993). "Lactiferous Fistula." Journal of the American College of Surgery178(1), 29-32.]

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