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BREAST PAIN

BREAST PAIN: Excerpt from Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs

Ask the following questions:

  1. Is it unilateral or bilateral? Unilateral breast pain should make one think of an infectious process or advanced carcinoma. Bilateral breast pain should make one think of pregnancy. This may be a normal pregnancy or an ectopic pregnancy.
  2. Is there an associated mass? A tender breast mass is most likely a mastitis or abscess, but advanced carcinoma can also produce a tender breast mass. If there are tender masses in both breasts, chronic cystic mastitis should be considered.
  3. Is there a discharge? A bloody discharge associated with a tender breast should make one think of a carcinoma.
  4. Is there fever? Fever associated with a tender breast or tender breast mass is most likely acute mastitis or abscess.

DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP

If there is a fever and discharge, a culture and sensitivity of the discharge should be done before beginning antibiotics. When there is a localized tender mass, referral to a general surgeon should be made. Patients with bilateral breast pain without any masses identified should have a pregnancy test. If this is negative and the pain is associated with the menstrual cycle, they should be treated as having premenstrual tension. A gynecologist may need to be consulted. If there is persistent bilateral breast pain in a young unmarried female, perhaps a psychiatrist should be consulted.

 

Book Source Details

  • Book Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs
  • Author(s): R. Douglas Collins
  • Year of Publication: 2003
  • Copyright Details: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, Copyright © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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Medical Books Excerpts
  • BACK PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • BREAST PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • CHEST PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • EYE PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • FACE PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • FLANK PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • HEEL PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • HIP PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • JAW PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • JOINT PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • Back Pain
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Chest Pain
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Hip Pain
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Knee Pain
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Toeing Out
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Toeing In
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • MYOCLONUS
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • ARM PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • EYE PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • HIP PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • Myoclonus
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Arm pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Back pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Chest pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Eye pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Flank pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Jaw pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Neck pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Rectal pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Seizures
  • "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
  • Back Pain
  • "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
  • Chest Pain
  • "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
  • Myoclonus
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Arm pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Back pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Chest pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Facial pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Flank pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Jaw pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Neck pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Seizures
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Chest Pain, Atypical
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Low Back Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Abdominal Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Calf Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Chronic Pelvic Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Hip Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Knee Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Neck Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Pleuritic Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Shoulder Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Scrotal Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Seizures
  • "Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis" (2007)
  • Eye Pain
  • "Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis" (2007)
  • Hip Pain
  • "Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis" (2007)
  • Myoclonus
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Abdominal pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Back pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Chest pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Eye pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Flank pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Jaw pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Neck pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Myoclonus
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Arm pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Back pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Breast pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Chest pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Eye pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Facial pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Flank pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Jaw pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Neck pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Rectal pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Seizures
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • Abdominal Pain
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • Back Pain
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • Chest Pain
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • Myoclonus
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Arm pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Back pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Chest pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Flank pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Jaw pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Neck pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • ARM PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • EYE PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • HIP PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
 

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.




More About This Book:
Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs
Authors: R. Douglas Collins
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright: 2003
ISBN: 0-7817-3805-9

 » Next page: CHEST PAIN (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)

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