Ductographic findings of breast cancer

• Published in: Korean journal of radiology Vol. 6; no. 1; pp. 31 - 36
• Main Authors: Cho, Nariya, Moon, Woo Kyung, Chung, Sun Yang, Cha, Joo Hee, Cho, Kyung Soo, Kim, Eun Kyung, Oh, Ki Keun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Society of Radiology 01-01-2005; The Korean Radiological Society; 대한영상의학회
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast - diagnostic imaging; Catheters; Cysts; Female; Humans; Mammography; Middle Aged; Nipples - diagnostic imaging; Patients; Pictorial; Radiography; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonography, Mammary; Womens health; 방사선과학
• ISSN: 1229-6929; 2005-8330
• DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2005.6.1.31

Ductography has become the gold standard for the evaluation of patients exhibiting pathologic nipple discharges. In nine patients (age range, 29-67 years; median age, 51 years) with invasive (n=5) or intraductal (n=4) cancer, ductographic findings were recorded, then correlated with mammographic and sonographic findings. Common ductographic findings included complete ductal obstruction, multiple irregular filling defects in the nondilated peripheral ducts, ductal wall irregularities, periductal contrast extravasation, and ductal displacement. Faint microcalcifications or ill-defined masses, which were not opacified by contrast material, were often discovered adjacent to ductal abnormalities. Mammographically and sonographically occult diffusely spreading intraductal cancers often manifested as pathologic nipple discharge. In such cases, meticulous ductographic examinations and interpretations were crucial in order not to miss breast cancers.