Zuska's disease is a condition of recurrent central or periareolar nonpuerperal abscesses that is associated with lactiferous fistulas, representing 1–2% of all symptomatic breast processes.
Zuska's disease most often occurs in smokers of 47 years old or older.
Non-puerperal mastitis, also known as Zuska disease, Zuska-Atkins disease or squamous metaplasia of lactiferous ducts (SMOLD) is a rare benign breast condition that is characterized by recurrent subareolar abscess formation, sometimes followed by chronic fistula formation and pus drainage.
Zuska's breast disease is a rare disorder leading to recurring subareolar abscess typically in obese people with a history of smoking.
The pathophysiology is a combination of ductal obstruction from squamous metaplasia and infection usually by anaerobic and gram-positive bacteria.
The presence of a milky draining sinus in the areola is characteristic of Zuska's disease.
The diagnostic challenge is to differentiate these benign condition from a breast cancer.
Treatment with antibiotics in the acute and chronic phase is mandatory for Zuska's disease, surgical removal of abscess and duct is sometimes resolutive.
Subareolar abscess of the male breast, also known as mammillary fistula, is an uncommon entity that can lead to prolonged morbidity.
The pathophysiology of the disease is unclear.
Zuska et al1 postulated that fistulas of lactiferous ducts result as a complication of comedomastitis, or duct ectasia.