Final answer:
Abscess and inflammation can have different mammographic appearances, such as localized density or irregular borders for abscesses and increased density or focal asymmetry for inflammation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mammographic appearance of abscess and inflammation can vary depending on the severity and location of the infection. In mammograms, an abscess may appear as a localized area of increased density or as a mass with irregular borders. Inflammation can manifest as diffuse increased density or as an area of focal asymmetry.
For example, gas gangrene, a severe bacterial infection, can present as bluish-purple discoloration around the affected area and irregular margins of discolored tissue on mammograms. Inflammatory breast cancer, on the other hand, can cause redness, warmth, and localized infection at the surgical site, as well as increased density in the affected breast tissue on mammograms.