Bilateral Nipple Piercings and Subsequent Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Breast Abscess Formation

• Published in: Eplasty Vol. 24; p. e61
• Main Authors: Miller, Nicholas W, Koenig, Zachary A, Woodberry, Kerri M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States HMP Global 2024
• Subjects: Case Report; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus; Nipple Piercing; Nipple Abscess
• ISSN: 1937-5719; 1937-5719

Breast infections associated with nipple piercings present a unique puzzle for clinicians because of the lack of sterile regulations surrounding the procedure. As a result, providers must consider wider ranges of infectious etiologies and have a low threshold for initiating broad spectrum antibiotic therapy and operative intervention to prevent detrimental complications. The authors present the case of a 39-year-old female who developed a methicillin-resistant right-breast abscess approximately 7 weeks following bilateral nipple piercings. Management included ultrasound-guided aspiration for the diagnosis and confirmation of the abscess, incision and drainage in the operating room, and both intravenous and oral antibiotic therapy. The patient recovered appropriately without recurrence of infection 6 weeks postoperatively. Given the rise in intimate body piercings, it is imperative to document complications to improve clinician treatment protocols and guide governmental bodies to make this practice as safe as possible.