(B)- Mammary Duct Ectasia Flashcards
What is mammary duct ectasia?
Benign condition where there is dilation of large ducts in breasts
Who is most affected by mammary duct ectasia?
Perimenopausal women
What is a significant risk factor of mammary duct ectasia?
Smoking
How does mammary duct ectasia present?
- Nipple discharge, white, grey or green
- Tenderness of pain
- Nipple retraction of inversion
- Breast lump
How is mammary duct ectasia diagnosed?
Initial priority is to exclude breast cancer
Triple assessment
Microcalcifications- key finding on mammogram, not specific to mammary duct ectasia though
What investigations can be performed for mammary duct ectasia after triple assessment?
Ductography
Contrast injected into abnormal duct, mammogram then used to visualise duct
Nipple discharge cytology
Examining cells in nipple discharge
Ductoscopy
Inserting endoscope into duct
What is the management for mammary duct ectasia?
May resolve without treatment
- Reassurance after excluding cancer
- Symptomatic management of mastalgia (supportive bra + warm compresses)
- Antibiotics if infection suspected or present
- Surgical excision (microdochectomy) if problematic