Mammary ductoscopy for the evaluation and management of nipple discharge

Abstract

Objective To determine the role of mammary ductoscopy in the evaluation and intraductal therapy for nipple discharge. Methods In this study 3280 patients with nipple discharge underwent mammary ductoscopy. Ductoscopy revealed space occupying lesions in 1018 patients who subsequently underwent surgery; 2260 patients with no-space occupying lesion underwent ductoscopically guided duct lavage. Results Space occupying lesion was often seen in patients with bloody discharge,single duct nipple discharge,discharge in unilateral breast and lesions located in general or level Ⅰ - Ⅱ duct.Non-bloody discharge,multiple duct with nipple discharge and bilateral breast involved and lesions at multi-level ducts were common in patients with no-space occupying lesions. Ductoscopically guided duct lavage was curative in 88.72％ among 2260 cases undergoing lavage. Conclusions Space occupying lesion should be suspected in patients with bloody discharge,single duct nipple discharge and unilateral breast involving lesion and lesions located in the general or level Ⅰ - Ⅱ duct system;Mammary ductoscopy is useful tool in the intraductal therapy for non-space occupying lesions. Key words: Breast neoplasms; Endoscopy; Nipple discharge; Diagnosis; Intraductal therapy