title: Breast ductoscopy with a 0.55-mm mini-endoscope for direct visualization of intraductal lesions.
abstract: Standard radiologic examinations of breast duct lesions can give only indirect information. Mini-endoscopy with a breast ductoscope of only 0.55 mm offers direct visualization of the lesion and helps in the decision to perform or avoid exploratory breast tissue resection. We used a LaDuScope (PolyDiagnost, Pfaffenhofen, Germany) with a 0.55- or 0.95-mm outer diameter and a 75-mm working length from October 2003 through July 2004 on 11 women (average age of 48.3 years [range 36-69 years]) with suspicious nipple discharge. The optics have zero-degree direct view, 70-degree field vision, and 3000 or 6000 pixel resolution. Breast ducts and walls could be easily inspected; and irrigation of breast ducts, aspiration, and use of cytology brush were possible under visual control. We had no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The new procedure of mini-ductoscopy is feasible, safe, and helpful as an additional ambulatory diagnostic method for visual inspection of breast ducts. This instrument demonstrates the latest advances of technology and a trend toward less-invasive diagnostics for breast duct lesions.
authors.affiliation: Frauenklinik (OB/GYN), Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany. volkerjacobs@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Volker R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiechle
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Plattner
authors.forename: Thorsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paepke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004106:Dilatation; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009558:Nipples / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery*