Sonographically-guided percutaneous needle aspiration of breast abscesses

BACKGROUND: Breast abscess can be treated by needle aspiration and ultrasound can facilitate its complete drainage.OBJECTIVE: To assess ultrasonographically guided needle aspiration of breast abscesses as an alternative approach after failed initial blind aspiration.METHODS: Twenty consecutive lactating and non lactating women who were initially aspirated for breast abscess were examined with ultrasonography. Abscesses depicted at ultrasound were treated with ultrasonographic guidance, and the success of ultrasound-guided treatment was prospectively determined.RESULTS: Twenty breast abscesses were identified at ultrasound; all were treated with ultrasound guidance: One patient who was treated subsequently underwent surgical intervention; all others were successfully treated with ultrasound intervention.CONCLUSION: This case series demonstrates that sonographically guided percutaneous aspiration of breast abscesses appears to be a promising alternative to surgical incision and drainage. Its advantages include its cure rate, simplicity and apparently good cosmetic result.

Animal productivity in tsetse-infested area of South West Kenya

Since 1990; a baseline survey of cattle productivity has been carried out on the Olkiramatina Group Ranch; Kajiado District. The aim of this survey was to assess the impact of seasonally high tsetse challenge and the resulting trypanosome infections. Management strategies among the pastoralist farmers and the effects of traditional and introduced tsetse and trypanosomiasis control regimes were also assessed. Two traditionally managed herds (A and B) were monitored by monthly weighing and sampling for trypanosomiasis. Milk off take was recorded every two weeks and herd compositon and dynamics monitored weekly. The major constraint to productivity during the first year of the study was prolonged drought affecting traditional transhumance grazing practices. The trypanosomiasis incidence rate of a control herd was consistently higher than the trypanosomiasis prevelance rate in the survey herds. There was an increase in disease prevalence at the end of along dry season and during the short rain season. Mortality rates at this time also increased. During the period; two calving seasons were recorded; during May to June 1991 and between December 1990 and February 1991. Herd A recorded a 73.5 calving rate between November 1990 and November 1991; compared with 52 in Herd B. Differences in cattle grazing management and drug treatments between herds were recorded. Cattle performance was characterised by a large drop in the body weight of mature animals after calving; long periods of return to service and low calf growth rates. This study is on-going