Cationic content in multiple mammary cysts.
One hundred and ninety-six breast cyst fluid samples from 78 consecutive patients with multiple cysts were subdivided according to the K+/Na+ ratio: type 1 (K+/Na+ ratio > 1) and type 2 (K+/Na+ ratio < or = 1). Cysts of the same type were found in 57.7% of patients (concordant group). Such a finding suggests that in patients bearing multiple cysts, all aspirated fluids need to be classified on the basis of their cationic composition. In the concordant group, type 1 cysts were more frequent than in the discordant group (80.3% vs 59.5%, P = 0.002). High K+/Na+ ratios (> 4.0) were present in 64% of type 1 cysts in the concordant group compared to 37.7% in the discordant group (P = 0.001), which suggests a different activity of the epithelium lining the cyst wall.
Ballerini
P
P
Unità di Endocrinologia, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.
Callegari
L
L
Del Prato
I
I
Moglia
D
D
Cerrotta
A
A
Adorni
L
L
Ferrari
L
L
Secreto
G
G
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis*; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis*
D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium