Does ultrasound-guided directional vacuum-assisted removal help eliminate abnormal nipple discharge in patients with benign intraductal single mass?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether the removal of an intraductal mass using an ultrasound (US)-guided directional vacuum-assisted device can eliminate symptoms in patients presenting with abnormal nipple discharge.


METHODS
Between March 2004 and October 2006, 36 patients who presented with abnormal nipple discharge, underwent US-guided, 11-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy for a benign intraductal single mass on US. The ability of the procedure to eliminate nipple discharge was evaluated by physical examination during follow-up US. Lesion characteristics, biopsy variables, and histologic features were analyzed to identify factors affecting symptom resolution.


RESULTS
Of the 36 lesions, 25 (69%) were intraductal papillomas, 10 (28%) were fibrocystic changes, and one (3%) was a fibroadenoma. The nipple discharge disappeared in 69% (25 of 36) of the women at a mean follow-up time of 25 months (range 12-42 month). There was no difference in the lesion characteristics, biopsy variables, and the histologic features between groups that eliminated the symptom compared those with persistent nipple discharge.


CONCLUSIONS
US-guided directional vacuum-assisted removal of an intraductal mass appears to eliminate nipple discharge in only 69% of patients and thus, it should not be considered as an alternative to surgical excision.
Chang
Jung Min
JM
Department of Radiology and Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital and the Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul 110-744, Korea.
Cho
Nariya
N
Moon
Woo Kyung
WK
Park
Jeong Seon
JS
Chung
Se-Yeong
SY
Jang
Mijung
M
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D009558:Nipples / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D018300:Papilloma, Intraductal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary; D014618:Vacuum