A cyst caused by obstruction of a lactating duct is called what?

A cyst caused by obstruction of a lactating duct is called what?

• A. Galactocele
• B. Fibroadenoma
• C. Mastitis
• D. Duct ectasia

Answer: (A)

Milk duct blockage during lactation leads to milk backing up behind the obstruction, forming a milk-filled cyst known as a galactocele. This benign lesion is tied to breastfeeding and presents as a breast lump that is often painless. On ultrasound it appears as a well-defined cystic structure, usually with anechoic fluid and posterior acoustic enhancement; sometimes the milky content can produce internal echoes. Fibroadenoma is a solid, typically mobile lump more common in younger patients, not related to milk buildup. Mastitis is an inflammatory or infectious process with pain, redness, warmth, and sometimes fever. Duct ectasia involves dilation of ducts, usually in perimenopausal women, and presents with nipple discharge rather than a milk-duct–obstruction–related cyst during lactation.

Milk duct blockage during lactation leads to milk backing up behind the obstruction, forming a milk-filled cyst known as a galactocele. This benign lesion is tied to breastfeeding and presents as a breast lump that is often painless. On ultrasound it appears as a well-defined cystic structure, usually with anechoic fluid and posterior acoustic enhancement; sometimes the milky content can produce internal echoes.

Fibroadenoma is a solid, typically mobile lump more common in younger patients, not related to milk buildup. Mastitis is an inflammatory or infectious process with pain, redness, warmth, and sometimes fever. Duct ectasia involves dilation of ducts, usually in perimenopausal women, and presents with nipple discharge rather than a milk-duct–obstruction–related cyst during lactation.