Surgical versus conservative approach of a patient with a single-lactiferous duct discharge using a precise ductal localization technique

ABSTRACT

This study was done on 23 patients to evaluate the surgical management as being a sure diagnostic method, in all cases, and therapeutic one in most of them. Of these patients, 21 had persistent single duct discharge of the nipple of the breast without a palpable abnormality. Mammography and cytology were done for all patients. It was found that mammography was false negative in 2 out of 4 cases who were found to be malignant after microdochectomy and histopathology. The cytology of the duct discharge showed suspicious and malignant cells in 2 out of these 4 patients [i.e. 2 true positive and 2 false negative cytology]. Thus, the conservative approach using these methods is not safe enough and microdochectomy, using the injection localization technique is a simple and quick method for proper initial management of these cases