Intraductal Lesions Research Articles

Use of peroral cholangioscopy to screen for neoplastic bile duct lesions in patients with bile duct stones (with videos)

Although cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs) can be diagnosed using several modalities, the detection of early-stage cancers remains unsatisfactory. We explored whether peroral cholangioscopy (POC) could be used to screen for neoplastic bile duct lesions including CCAs in patients with bile duct stones. Two hundred seven patients who underwent endoscopic removal of bile duct stones were enrolled between August 2010 and July 2018. The primary outcome was the detection rate of intraductal neoplastic biliary lesions by direct POC. Secondary outcomes were the technical success rates of direct POC and POC-guided forceps biopsy sampling (POC-FB), the diagnostic accuracy of the direct POC findings, adverse events, and the number needed to screen to detect a neoplastic bile duct lesion. Direct POC was successful in 199 of 207 patients (96.1%). Mild cholangitis developed in 2 patients (1.0%) and was treated conservatively. Of the 199 successfully performed POCs, 31 patients (15.6%) exhibited abnormal intraductal mucosal lesions. The technical success rate of POC-FB was 90.3% (28/31 patients). The pathologic diagnoses after POC-FB were CCAs (n= 4), intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct (IPN-B) (n= 2), an adenoma with dysplasia (n= 1), and benign lesions (n= 21). Direct POC correctly distinguished non-neoplastic from neoplastic bile duct lesions in 91.6% of patients. Curative surgical resection was performed for the 5 patients with CCAs or IPN-B. The number needed to screen to detect a neoplastic bile duct lesion was 29.6. Direct POC using a dedicated, ultraslim upper endoscope usefully screens for neoplastic bile duct lesions including CCAs in selected patients with bile duct stones.

Neural EGFL like 2 expressed in myoepithelial cells and suppressed breast cancer cell migration.

Breast tissue has a branching structure that contains double-layered cells, consisting primarily of luminal epithelial cells inside and myoepithelial cells outside. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) still has myoepithelial cells surrounding the cancer cells. However, myoepithelial cells disappear in invasive ductal carcinoma. In this study, we detected expression of neural EGFL like (NELL) 2 and one of its receptors, roundabout guidance receptor (ROBO) 3, in myoepithelial and luminal epithelial cells (respectively) in normal breast tissue. NELL2 also was expressed in myoepithelial cells surrounding the non-cancerous intraductal proliferative lesions and DCIS. However, the expression level and proportion of NELL2-positive cells in DCIS were lower than those in normal and non-cancerous intraductal proliferative lesions. ROBO3 expression was decreased in invasive ductal carcinoma compared to that in normal and non-cancerous intraductal proliferative lesions. An evaluation of NELL2's function in breast cancer cell lines demonstrated that full-length NELL2 suppressed cell adhesion and migration in vitro. In contrast, the N-terminal domain of NELL2 increased cell adhesion in the early phase and migration in vitro in some breast cancer cells. These results suggested that full-length NELL2 protein, when expressed in myoepithelial cells, might serve as an inhibitor of breast cancer cell migration.

Diagnostic value of sialyl-Tn immunocytochemistry in breast cancer presenting with pathological nipple discharge.

BackgroundMucin‐associated sialyl‐Tn (sTn) antigen is overexpressed and related with adverse outcome in breast cancer (BC). The role of sTn in BC has not been well defined in pathological nipple discharge (PND) cytology. The authors examined sTn immunocytochemistry (ICC) in PND to determine whether it could be a biomarker of malignancy or aggressive disease.MethodsPND was subjected to immunocytochemical staining for sTn antigen expression and thinprep cytology test (TCT) for enhancing the sensitivity and specificity. The examination data was compared with histological findings of subsequent biopsy specimens. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine which factors were most associated with malignant breast lesions.ResultsPND specimens were collected including 120 cases of intraductal papilloma, 24 cases of hyperplasia, 45 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and 48 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). STn ICC differentiated BC from benign intraductal lesions with a low sensitivity of 41.9% and a high specificity of 95.8%, but increased in combination with TCT to 64.5% and 100%, respectively. A high degree of concordance was observed between the results of sTn expression in cell smears and histological specimens. Moreover, the sTn expression was strongly associated with HER2‐positive IDC (p = 0.039). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that positive sTn expression (OR: 14.241, 95%CI: 2.574, 78.794, p = 0.010) and accompanying mass (OR: 3.307, 95%CI: 1.073, 10.188, p = 0.037) were statistically significant independent risk factors for malignant PND.ConclusionsMucin‐associated sTn expression in PND cytology appears to be a reliable diagnostic marker for BC patients with the chief complaint of malignant nipple discharge and indicates a more aggressive behavior in IDC.

Abstract PS3-15: Imaging of the distribution of human breast ducts

Abstract While most of the anatomy of the human body is well delineated and understood, the distribution of adult female breast ducts remains largely understudied despite the fact that breast cancer, is thought to start in the lining of a breast ductal lobular unit. These anatomical features develop from stem cells located behind the nipple under the influence of the hormones of puberty. The exact patterns and number of ducts in the normal female breast has received limited attention since the work of Astley Cooper in 1840 who admitted that he had artfully displayed the ducts in two dimensions for his book. Since then, Going et al has used computerized reconstruction to map one breast and investigators in Australia have used hand-held ultrasound on lactating women to gain some insight into the nipple anatomy. The descriptions of the number of ducts exiting the breast at the nipple can be divided into those who have cannulated ducts at the nipple (6-10) and those who enumerated the number of ducts seen on transection of the nipple. (15-20). Local anesthesia can be used as a nipple block allowing duct cannulation in women. Breast cancer starts in the lining of a milk duct which opens the way for the application of new diagnostic techniques such as liquid biopsy. The limitation of this approach, however, is the absence of an imaging modality to direct sampling. In collaboration with QT Imaging, images were obtained using non-invasive 3D Transmission Ultrasound (TU) imaging of whole in vivo breasts of three patients, a postmenopausal 64 year old woman, a woman with DCIS and one with an invasive cancer. TU is a novel FDA cleared imaging device utilizing 3D ultrasound data and modelling to yield speckle free sub-mm resolution quantitative estimates of tissue characteristics. The women were lying prone with their breast immersed in a water bath with reconstruction of the projection and reflected ultrasound data resulting in co-registered 3D reflection, speed-of-sound, and attenuation images. Machine learning at a voxel level was used to quantitively differentiate and segment breast tissues types based on reconstructed voxel tissue characteristics. These tissue types were then 3D printed into anatomical models representing a normal postmenopausal breast, one with DCIS and one with invasive cancer. The images demonstrated the distribution of ductal systems in two concentric groupings unrelated to quadrants. The DCIS and the invasive ductal cancer were limited to a single ductal system each. This new non-invasive technology enables precise localization of intraductal and invasive lesions. It opens up the potential for precise anatomic intraductal liquid biopsy for diagnosis as well as intraductal therapy. In addition, it has ramifications for better directing surgical removal of intraductal and invasive lesions. Citation Format: Susan M Love, James Klock, James Wiskin. Imaging of the distribution of human breast ducts [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS3-15.

Functional photoacoustic/ultrasound imaging for the assessment of breast intraductal lesions: preliminary clinical findings.

This study aimed to identify features of breast intraductal lesions in photoacoustic/ultrasound (PA/US) imaging and compare PA/US with color Doppler flow/ultrasound (CDFI/US) in the evaluation of breast intraductal lesions. In the nine patients with 10 breast intraductal lesions and 8 patients with 8 benign lesions, total vessel scores evaluated from PA/US are significantly greater than those from CDFI/US (p=0.005). PA internal vessel scores and oxygen saturation (SO2) score are significantly increased in breast intraductal lesions than in benign lesions (p=0.016, p=0.006). With a cutoff PA score (sum of PA internal vessel score and SO2 score) of 2.5, we obtained a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 87.5% in differentiation of two groups. PA/US upgraded 40% of breast intraductal lesions, and downgraded 50% of benign lesions from the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System grading results based on CDFI/US. PA/US functional imaging has the potential in differentiating breast intraductal lesions.

Exploring the Resourcefulness of an Underutilized Modality

ABSTRACT Ductography (DG), also called galactography, is an important imaging diagnostic tool for evaluating patients with suspicious nipple discharge (SND). It is practical and cost-effective yet it is heavily underutilized in resource-constrained countries. The aim of this review was to explore the use of conventional DG as a diagnostic tool in the management of patients with pathologic or SND. This is a review of available literature on DG and SND over the past 36 years. In patients with SND, conventional DG is still a valuable, simple, and cost-effective imaging tool for the accurate localization of causal intra-ductal lesions including breast cancer. In resource-challenged environments, therefore, promoting ductographic diagnosis is cost-effective and attractive because it also affords curative targeted duct excisions.

Role of MRI in distinguishing intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma from poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma

ObjectivesTo evaluate the role of MRI in the diagnosis of mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (mICC), its enhancement pattern with contrast agent, and distinction from poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (pHCC).BackgroundmICC is the second most common primary hepatobiliary tumor that is increasing in incidence. Imaging characteristics in mICC differ significantly, having overlapping imaging features with pHCC. Thus, it is important to differentiate mICC from pHCC.Patients and methodsA retrospective MRI study was conducted on 15 patients with mICC and 15 patients with pHCC referred to MRI unit of the National Liver Institute, Menoufia University from June 2017 to January 2019. MRI were analyzed for tumor shape, intratumoral hemorrhage, fibrous capsule, T2 signal intensity, capsular retraction, intratumoral fat, biliary dilatation, vascular invasion, intraductal lesion, intrahepatic metastasis, restricted diffusion, and enhancement pattern after contrast injection. Associations between MRI features and tumor type were examined using the Fisher's exact and χ2 tests.ResultsLate enhancement was more common in mICC than pHCC (P < 0.001). T2 central hypointense area was more common in mICC versus HCC (P = 0.001). Capsular retraction was more common in mICC than HCC (P = 0.001). Biliary dilatation was more common in mICC than pHCC (P = 0.001). Fat component was more in pHCC than mICC (P = 0.01). Fibrous capsule was more common in pHCC than mICC (P = 0.002). Others parameters were not significant.ConclusionBiliary dilatation, central fibrosis, overlying capsular retraction, and late enhancement at 3 min with absence of fat and fibrous capsule appear to be the most important characteristics for mICC and help its differentiation from pHCC.

Evaluating the usefulness of breast strain elastography for intraductal lesions

PurposeStrain elastography for imaging lesion stiffness is being used as a diagnostic aid in the malignant/benign discrimination of breast diseases. While acquiring elastography in addition to B-mode images has been reported to help avoid performing unnecessary biopsies, intraductal lesions are difficult to discriminate whether they are malignant or benign using elastography. An objective evaluation of strain in lesions was performed in this study by measuring the elasticity index (E-index) and elasticity ratio (E-ratio) of lesions as semi-quantitative numerical indicators of the color distribution of strain. We examined whether ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and intraductal papilloma could be distinguished using these semi-quantitative numerical indicators.MethodsIn this study, 170 ultrasonographically detected mass lesions in 162 cases (106 malignant lesions and 64 benign lesions)—in which tissue biopsy by core needle biopsy and vacuum-assisted biopsy, or surgically performed histopathological diagnosis, was performed—were selected as subjects from among 1978 consecutive cases (from January 2014 to December 2016) in which strain elastography images were acquired, in addition to standard B-mode breast ultrasonography, by measuring the E-index and E-ratio.ResultsThe cut-off values for E-index and E-ratio in the malignant/benign discrimination of breast lesions were determined to be optimal values at 3.5 and 4.2, respectively, based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. E-index sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and AUC value (area under the curve) were 85%, 86%, 85%, and 0.860, respectively, while those for E-ratio were 78%, 74%, 74%, and 0.780, respectively. E-index yielded superior results in all aspects of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and AUC values, compared to those of E-ratio. The mean E-index values for malignant tumors and benign tumors were 4.46 and 2.63, respectively, indicating a significant difference (P < 0.001). E-index values of 24 DCIS lesions and 25 intraductal papillomas were 3.88 and 3.35, respectively, which showed a considerably close value, while the false-negative rate for DCIS was 29.2%, and the false-positive rate for intraductal papilloma was as high as 32.0%.ConclusionE-index in strain elastography yielded better results than E-ratio in the malignant/benign discrimination of breast diseases. On the other hand, E-index has a high false-negative rate and false-positive rate for intraductal lesions, a factor which should be taken into account when making ultrasound diagnoses.

Ductography and Galactomosynthesis in the 21st Century: Role of Imaging in Identifying Endoductal Breast Lesions and in Pre-Surgical Planning

Objective: To evaluate the role of invasive imaging in the identification and pre-surgical localization of endoductal breast lesions. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated cytological outcomes, non-invasive/invasive breast imaging obtained between January 2016 and December 2019 in women with pathological nipple discharge (PND). We analysed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. We also evaluated the advantages of a pre-surgical radiological study using an endoductal contrast medium (with 3D-technique, in young women with dense breasts). Results: A total of 286 women with PND underwent cytological examination, mammography and/or breast ultrasound. When the cytological outcome was reported as “negative” (66.78%) in agreement with negative noninvasive imaging, patients were sent to follow up. Patients with cytological outcomes defined as “bloody with papillary clusters” (29.37%) “bloody not associated to cytological modifications” (2.44%), or “atypical/suspected” for malignant (1.39%) underwent an invasive procedure. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were, respectively: 92.63%, 100%, 100% and 96.46% for cytological examination; 64.28%, 96.95%, 60% and 97.44% for mammography; 41.11%, 97.44%, 88.09% and 78.27% for ultrasound; 93.68%, 100%, 100% and 96.95% for invasive procedures. Post-surgical histological outcomes confirmed the diagnosis. Conclusion: In absence of a standard diagnostic algorithm, we recommend invasive procedures to identify intraductal breast lesions and for preoperative planning. Digital imaging and new technologies such as 3D-tomosynthesis lead to a renaissance of breast invasive imaging; they are confirmed to be an essential diagnostic modality for preoperative planning, to define localization and extension of multiple coexisting endoductal lesions.

Endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary adenoma and early adenocarcinoma: Analysis of factors related to treatment outcome and long-term prognosis.

There are few reports on the long-term prognosis of papillary tumors after endoscopic papillectomy. Here, we report a retrospective study of the therapeutic effects, long-term prognosis, and affecting factors. The inclusion criteria were papillary adenoma with/without an adenocarcinoma component on biopsy results and ≤10mm intraductal extension, and the exclusion criteria were moderate to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma on biopsy results. If no residual lesion was confirmed ≥6months after the last endoscopic treatment, remission was defined. Subsequently, follow-up endoscopy was scheduled once a year. Surgery was required in the case of adenocarcinoma recurrence or intraductal lesions >10mm. The rates of adverse events, remission, recurrence, and need for surgery were examined. The affecting factors were calculated. There were a total of 253 subjects, including 65 with adenocarcinoma. Pancreatitis (7.5%), bleeding (9.1%) and perforation (2.8%) were observed as adverse events. Among 221 subjects with ≥6months of follow-up, 212 (95.9%) were in remission. The cumulative recurrence rate using the Kaplan-Meier analysis at 5years was 16.9% (22 cases), with the need for surgery in 5.9% (5 cases). Intraductal extension on preoperative diagnosis was the only significant risk factor for both recurrence (P<0.001) and the need for surgery (P=0.005). The presence of adenocarcinoma had no significant effect. Although remission was achieved in more than 95% of our patients, we observed a high rate of recurrence at the long-term follow-up, which was significantly associated with intraductal extension but not with the presence of adenocarcinoma.

Use of fiberoductoscopy for the management of pathological nipple discharge: ten years follow up of a single center in China.

Pathological nipple discharge (PND) is usually associated with benign intraductal papilloma, which has a higher malignant rate than other benign tumors in most cases. Fiberoductoscopy (FDS) is an alternative possibility in diagnostic and finding lesions in PND patients. Previously, the bloody discharge was presumed to show papilloma or breast cancer. However, as we started using FDS, papilloma or cancer also can be found in the cases with a transparent or yellow discharge. This study investigated the value of FDS for the diagnosis and locating of intraductal lesions in cases with nipple discharge. A retrospective analysis of 3,696 cases that initially presented with pathologic nipple discharge was performed. There were 4,456 FDSs performed, and the correlations between the FDS findings for distinct types of lesions and the pathological diagnosis were determined. Among the 2,816 cases of elevated lesions, FDS confirmed 1,933 cases of intraductal papilloma, 584 cases of intraductal papillomatosis, and 299 cases of intraductal carcinoma. Among the 880 cases of non-elevated lesions, FDS confirmed 380 cases of duct dilation, 350 cases of duct inflammation, 136 cases of duct dilation and inflammation, and 14 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). All patients followed up 3 months to 12 years. There were 241 DCIS in total, and 8 cases had local recurrence, 2 cases had metastasis. Invasive ductal carcinoma, 41 cases, 3 had recurrence and 3 had metastases, and 1 for death. Invasive lobular carcinoma 23 cases, recurrence 2 cases, metastasis 1 case. FDS has a high positive predictive rate and correlates well with the results of the pathological examination. The advantage of FDS is that it can observe the lesions, increasing the detection rate of early stage breast cancer, simple to operate, low cost, and no need for the appointment, appropriate for Chinese conditions.

Extraction of intra-biliary hepatocellular carcinoma by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma with biliary ductal invasion is rare and associated with a significantly lower survival rate.Case presentationWe present an unusual case of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma and biliary invasion, who had his diagnosis confirmed by histological analysis from tissue extracted by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. An 87-year-old male presented with a 1-day history of right upper quadrant pain and jaundice. His past medical history included recurrent gallstone cholangitis and a previous cholecystectomy. An abdominal CT demonstrated a dilated intrahepatic biliary tree with left proximal intrahepatic hyperdensities, as well as a 3 cm hepatocellular carcinoma. He was initially suspected to have concurrent gallstone cholangitis and a newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and balloon trawling of the intraductal lesions extracted necrotic tumour-like tissue which was histologically consistent with hepatocellular carcinoma. The extraction of the intra-biliary portion of HCC resulted in complete resolution of his jaundice, enabling further treatment with nivolumab, which would not have been possible if the obstruction was not cleared. The patient is currently well and has completed his 6th cycle of nivolumab.ConclusionObstructive jaundice is an uncommon presentation for patients with HCC. it is key for clinicians to be aware of the possibility of intrabiliary invasion in order obtain an early diagnosis and to reduce any delay in treatment.

Innovative use of magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound surgery for non-invasive breast cancer: a report of two cases

ObjectiveThis report describes the first clinical experience with magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) using the ExAblate 2100 system for non-invasive breast cancer.MethodsTwo women with non-invasive breast cancer underwent MRgFUS treatment. One week after the MRgFUS treatment, US-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy was performed for the ablated lesions at the same time as breast-conserving surgery.ResultsThe patients experienced good cosmetic outcomes and did not experience any severe adverse events, such as skin burns. Pathological examination of the surgical specimens revealed a few degenerated intraductal lesions around the breast biopsy markers.ConclusionPerforming MRgFUS with the new ExAblate 2100 system appears to be safe and feasible. The histopathological results revealed that adequate ultrasound energy in the appropriate location can induce tumor necrosis.

Solitary dilated duct visualised by mammography: ultrasound and anatomopathological correlation

To correlate solitary dilated ducts (SDDs) detected by mammography with ultrasound and histopathological findings of intraductal lesions and evaluate the association with invasive or in situ breast carcinoma. The secondary goal was to evaluate the prevalence of SDDs in screening and diagnostic mammography. This prospective study of consecutive screening and diagnostic mammograms from March 2016 to March 2017 at a referral centre for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer was registered at clinicatrials.gov (NCT03161392). SDDs were recorded prospectively on mammography, and regardless of the findings' stability, the participants were recalled for targeted ultrasound to evaluate the intraductal content, which was submitted to histopathological analysis when heterogeneous content or masses were found. SDD stability was evaluated for 2 years. The categorical data are shown as frequency and percentage, and the comparisons were conducted using the chi-squared test. A total of 9,035 mammograms were evaluated. SDDs were identified in 130 (1.43%) mammograms and 94 targeted ultrasound were conducted. In 22 cases, histological analysis were performed, and the main findings were fibrocystic changes (n=14) and papilloma (n=8). The main clinical and imaging characteristics associated with statistical significance (p<0.05) were the presence of nipple discharge, intraductal masses, and calcifications on mammography. SDDs visualised using mammography and without other associated findings should be complemented with targeted ultrasound to evaluate the intraductal content that shows benign histopathological results when papilloma is the most relevant finding. No cases of invasive or in situ breast carcinoma were found in this study.

A retrospective observational study of intraductal breast papilloma and its coexisting lesions: A real-world experience.

BackgroundBreast intraductal papilloma is a heterogeneous group. The aim of the study is to investigate the intraductal breast papilloma and its coexisting lesions retrospectively in real‐world practice.MethodsWe retrospectively identified 4450 intraductal breast papilloma and its coexisting lesions.ResultsAbout 18.36% of intraductal papilloma coexisted with malignant lesions of the breast, 37.33% coexisted with atypia hyperplasia (AH), 25.24% coexisted with benign lesions, and only 19.10% coexisted without concomitant lesions. In addition, 36.80% of intraductal breast papilloma had nipple discharge, 51.46% had a palpable breast mass, and 16.45% had both nipple discharge and a palpable breast mass. About 28.18% experienced discomfort or were asymptomatic. Furthermore, 98.99% had ultrasound abnormalities, and 53.06% had intraductal hypoechogenicity upon ultrasound. 31.89% had mammographic distortion, and 14.45% had microcalcification upon mammography. Intraductal breast papilloma with malignancy had significant correlations with clinical manifestations.ConclusionCoexisting malignancy was also related to ultrasound abnormality (BIRADS 4C and 5), mammographic distortion, and microcalcification upon mammography but was not related to the intraductal hypoechoic upon ultrasound. Coexisting atypical hyperplasia correlated with nipple discharge but not palpable mass, mammographic distortion, or intraductal hypoechoic upon ultrasound. The coexisting AH was also related to abnormality upon ultrasound or microcalcification compared with the benign lesions. The intraductal papilloma coexists with malignancy or AH accounted for more than 50%, and the clinical information on papilloma and its coexisting lesions is nonspecific. We recommended surgical treatment for benign intraductal papillary lesions.

Risk factors of breast intraductal lesions in patients without pathological nipple discharge.

The majority of breast cancer arises from the ductal epithelium. It is crucial in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer by detecting intraductal lesions at an early stage. The typical clinical characteristic of intraductal lesions is pathological nipple discharge (PND), although many patients with intraductal lesions do not exhibit PND. It is a serious challenge for clinicians to detect patients with intraductal lesions without PND at an early stage. The aim of the present study was to investigate the risk factors associated with intraductal lesions in patients without PND. This retrospective database review, conducted between April 2016 and April 2017, included 370 lesions from 255 patients with intraductal lesions (intraductal papilloma, atypical intraductal hyperplasia, intraductal carcinoma in situ) and non-intraductal lesions (fibroadenoma, adenosis, cysts, lobular carcinoma in situ), diagnosed through surgical pathology. The patients were divided into two groups based on pathological diagnosis and clinical parameters were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Univariate analysis revealed that 9 of 14 factors were statistically significant. Five factors were identified to be associated risk factors in patients without PND through the multivariate logistic regression analysis: Age between 35 and 49 years and age ≥50 years [odds ratio (OR)=4.749, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.371-9.513, P<0.001; OR=2.587, 95% CI=2.587-14.891, P<0.001; respectively], non-menstrual breast pain (OR=1.922, 95% CI=1.037-3.564, P=0.038), breast duct dilatation as seen using ultrasonography (OR=9.455, 95% CI=3.194-27.987, P<0.001), lesion distance from nipple ≤2 cm (OR=2.747, 95% CI=1.668-4.526, P<0.001) and lesion size ≤1 cm (OR=1.903, 95% CI=1.155-3.136, P=0.012). In conclusion, for patients without PND but with risk factors, such as the patient being >35 years, with non-menstrual breast pain, breast duct ectasia, lesion distance from nipple ≤2 cm and lesion size ≤1 cm as seen using ultrasonography, clinicians should be highly concerned about the possibility of intraductal lesions, in order to prevent misdiagnosis and reduce the misdiagnosis rate.

DBT-galactography: a promising tool for improving the diagnostic workup of nipple discharge

BackgroundOur aim was to compare the diagnostic performance of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT)-galactography with that of full-field digital (FFD)-galactography for detecting intraductal breast lesions using an intra-individual design.MethodsForty-nine consecutive patients with spontaneous, unilateral, single-pore nipple discharge and inconclusive FFD mammography and ultrasonography underwent galactography with a “COMBO” technique combining FFD- and DBT-galactography acquisitions. Examinations were independently analysed by two breast radiologists with 10-year experience. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for both FFD- and DBT-galactography were calculated having histological examinations of surgical specimens as a reference standard. Data were presented as percentages with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). McNemar test was used. Interobserver agreement was assessed by using Cohen κ test for both techniques.ResultsSensitivity was 41/43 (95%, 95% CI 84.2–99.4) for DBT-galactography and 33/43 (77%, 95% CI 61.4–88.2) for FFD-galactography (p = 0.008), specificity 6/6 (100%, 95% CI 54.1–100.0) for both imaging tools, accuracy 47/49 (96%, 95% CI 86.0–99.5) and 39/49 (80%, 95% CI 65.7–89.8) (p = 0.038), respectively. The inter-observer agreement was 0.86 for DBT-galactography and 0.78 for FFD-galactography. The AGD resulted to 1.94 ± 0.64 for the combined technique.ConclusionDBT-galactography showed a significantly higher sensitivity and accuracy than FFD-galactography for the identification of the intraductal findings, improving the possibility of a reliable diagnosis in patients with pathologic nipple-discharge.

Detection of breast cancer precursor lesions by autofluorescence ductoscopy

PurposeAutofluorescence is an image enhancement technique used for the detection of cancer precursor lesions in pulmonary and gastrointestinal endoscopy. This study evaluated the feasibility of addition of autofluorescence to ductoscopy for the detection of intraductal breast cancer precursor lesions.MethodsAn autofluorescence imaging system, producing real-time computed images combining fluorescence intensities, was coupled to a conventional white light ductoscopy system. Prior to surgery, ductoscopy with white light and autofluorescence was evaluated under general anaesthesia in women scheduled for therapeutic or prophylactic mastectomy. Endoscopic findings in both modes were compared, marked and correlated with histology of the surgical specimen.ResultsFour breast cancer patients and five high-risk women, with a median age of 47 years (range 23–62) were included. In autofluorescence mode, two intraductal lesions were seen in two breast cancer patients, which had an increase in the red-to-green fluorescence intensity compared with the surrounding tissue. One lesion had initially been missed by white light ductoscopy but was clearly visible in subsequent autofluorescence mode. One endoscopic finding was classified as suspicious by white light, but was negative in autofluorescence mode and showed normal histology.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates for the first time the in vivo feasibility of autofluorescence ductoscopy to detect pathologically confirmed breast cancer precursor lesions in both breast cancer patients and high-risk women that were occult under white light.

The Safety of Radiofrequency Ablation Using a Novel Temperature-Controlled Probe for the Treatment of Residual Intraductal Lesions after Endoscopic Papillectomy.

Background/AimsTreatment of residual intraductal lesions after endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary adenomas is relatively difficult. Few studies have been conducted using intraductal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of such lesions, and no study has aimed to reduce the side effects of excessive heat caused by RFA. Recently, a temperature-controlled RFA probe was developed to avoid excessive heat. This study aimed to investigate the safety of this new RFA probe in the treatment of intraductal lesions of ampullary adenoma.MethodsPatients who received RFA for residual intraductal lesions after endoscopic papillectomy between November 2017 and June 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. A novel temperature-controlled probe (ELRA) was used for intraductal RFA, and clinical data including adverse events were collected.ResultsTen patients were included in this study. Intraductal adenomas showed low-grade dysplasia in eight patients and high-grade dysplasia in two patients. The median diameter of intraductal adenomas was 9 mm (range, 5 to 10 mm) in the common bile duct and 5 mm (range, 4 to 11 mm) in the pancreatic duct. Adverse events occurred in three patients (30.0%), of which two were mild pancreatitis and one was asymptomatic biliary stricture. Over a median follow-up period of 253 days, only one patient underwent additional surgery, as the remainder showed no adenomatous lesions on follow-up biopsies.ConclusionsThe new temperature-controlled RFA probe can be used with acceptable safety for the treatment of residual intraductal lesions after endoscopic papillectomy. Further evaluation through future prospective studies is needed.

Lesiones papilares intraductales mamarias: nuestra experiencia 2007-2017

ObjectivesTo provide a review and analysis of cases of intraductal papillary breast lesions diagnosed at our centre between January 2007 and December 2017, and to study the association between papillary lesions and breast cancer. Patients and methodsWe performed a retrospective descriptive study using the pathology database of our centre. We included 135 patients with a pathological diagnosis of papillary lesion (isolated benign papilloma, multiple papillomatosis, papilloma with carcinoma in situ, papilloma with atypia or intraductal papillary carcinoma). The main variables were age, the diagnostic procedures performed, the presence of higher-grade lesions associated with the papillary lesion, and the development of breast neoplasms during follow-up. ResultsThe patients’ mean age was 50 years. Ductoscopy had high sensitivity (88%). Twelve patients (9%) had carcinomas on the papillary lesion or its surrounding areas (8 carcinomas in situ and 4infiltrating carcinomas) and 4patients (3%) had associated atypical hyperplasia. With a mean follow-up of 34 months, 6 patients had recurrence as a papillary lesion (one multiple papillomatosis and 5papillomas), 3 patients relapsed with a neoplastic lesion, and one patient developed a contralateral neoplasm. ConclusionsIn the presence of a suspected papillary lesion and nipple secretion, ductoscopy should be considered due to its high sensitivity. The high incidence of neoplasms associated with papillary lesions or their development during follow-up justifies their complete surgical excision and strict follow-up.