View source for Medicine:Galactocele

{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name          = Galactocele
| synonyms      = Lacteal cyst, Lactocele, Galactocoele, Milk cyst
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A '''galactocele''' (also called '''lacteal cyst''' or '''milk cyst''') is a retention cyst containing milk or a milky substance that is usually located in the [[Biology:Mammary gland|mammary gland]]s. They can occur in women during or shortly after lactation.{{cn|date=September 2023}}

They present as a firm mass, often subareolar, and are caused by the obstruction of a lactiferous duct. Clinically, they appear similar to a cyst on examination.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Oxford Cases in Medicine and Surgery}}</ref> The duct becomes more distended over time by epithelial cells and milk. It may rarely be complicated by a secondary infection and result in [[Medicine:Abscess|abscess]] formation. These cysts may rupture leading to formation of inflammatory reaction and may mimic [[Medicine:Malignancy|malignancy]].{{cn|date=September 2023}}

Once [[Biology:Lactation|lactation]] has ended the cyst should resolve on its own without intervention. A galactocele is not normally infected as the milk within is [[Biology:Asepsis|sterile]] and has no outlet through which to become contaminated. Treatment is by [[Medicine:Suction|aspiration]] of the contents or by excision of the cyst. [[Chemistry:Antibiotic|Antibiotic]]s are given to prevent [[Medicine:Infection|infection]].<ref>Bhat Sriram, SRB's Manual of Surgery, 2010, New Delhi</ref>

Galactoceles may be associated with oral contraceptive use.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/EXAM/MULTORG/brstfrm.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-10-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121220150/http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/EXAM/MULTORG/brstfrm.html |archive-date=2011-11-21 }}</ref> They have been known to present, although rarely, after Breast augmentation and Breast reduction.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Tung|first1=Andrew|last2=Carr|first2=Nicholas|date=December 2011|title=Postaugmentation Galactocele: A Case Report and Review of Literature|url=http://journals.lww.com/00000637-201112000-00027|journal=Annals of Plastic Surgery|language=en|volume=67|issue=6|pages=668–670|doi=10.1097/SAP.0b013e3182069b3c|pmid=21346529 |s2cid=1367058 |issn=0148-7043}}</ref>

== References ==
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== External links ==
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|  DiseasesDB     = 5053 
|  ICD10          = {{ICD10|N|64|8|n|60}} 
|  ICD9           = {{ICD9|611.5}} 
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060612222636/http://brighamrad.harvard.edu/Cases/bwh/hcache/375/full.html Case description and discussion] at Harvard.edu

{{Diseases of the breast}}

[[Category:Rare diseases]]



{{Sourceattribution|Galactocele}}