Galactography: mammary duct contrast examination.

Abstract

Mammary duct contrast examination, on galactography, using water soluble media is a valuable procedure to evaluate women with nonlactational nipple discharge or bleeding. These symptoms are usually due to benign disease, either a single intraductal papilloma, secretory disease, or papillomatosis [1 -3]. The type of discharge, however, is not a reliable indication of the type of lesions [1 , 2, 4] and discharge or bleeding can be produced by malignant lesions. Physical examination and noncontrast mammography are often normal. The value of cytologic examination of the secretions is controversial. It is helpful only when positive, and a number of false negative and false positive results occur [4-6]. Further diagnostic information, and localization of the causative lesion are often helpful. Contrast galactognaphy can often accomplish such localization and sometimes can suggest on confirm the nature of the pathologic process [1 -4, 6-1 2]. Usually selective injection of one or two ducts is sufficient (Leborgne R, cited in [3]). No definite contraindications to galactography exist, although the procedure is of no value in the study of an acute inflammatory process.