Author(s): Talib Muhsin Hussein

Abstract: Background: One benign breast condition is duct ectasia. It affects the big duct system. Smoking and D.M. are potential culprits, however the primary reason is yet unknown.The patient frequently exhibits soreness and pain in the areola and nipple, as well as nipple discharge of various hues (white, green, or gray).Patients and Methods: In this research the clinical assessment, ultrasound and the cytological study were used to evaluate the duct ectasia for 25 female patients. Age group from 35-60 years' old. Results of these studies were used to evaluate and diagnose the patients and treat them accordingly medically or surgically. Results: 25 patients presenting with duct ectasia were included in this study. Women’s ages ranged between 35 and 60 years (mean 47.5 years). Pain was a feature in 17 (68%) out of 25 patients. A periareolar lump was noted in 60% of the patients. Nipple change was present in 72% of the patients. Discharge (40%) was more common than inversion (8%). There was no nipple change in 28% of the patients and discharge and inversion in 24%. Ultrasonography showed one or many anechoic tube like structures at the subaereolar region. Dilatation was mild in 52%, normal in 24%, moderate in 16% and severe in 8% of cases. Distribution of dilated ducts was mainly Retroareolar (100%) and no peripheral was diagnosed (0%). The content of the ducts was clear in most cases (80%), turbid in 16% or mass in 4%. Wall thickness was normal in 96% of the cases or thick in 4% only. Nipple discharge cytopathology findings showed that 60% of the cells were inflammatory which reflects the inflammation origin of the duct ectasia. Acellular and nonspecific cells were detected in 4% and 32%, respectively. Benign neoplastic lesions were detected in 100% of cases examined. No malignant case was detected. Most of the patients with duct ectasia were treated with antibiotics and an analgesic (ibuprofen) (88%). However, 12% of the patients were treated by surgery.Conclusion and RecommendationsDuct ectasia was a common disease of female patients attending the surgical clinic of our hospital. This study enrolled 25 patients complaining of symptomatic duct ectasia, 3 patients (12%) were surgically treated while 22 patients (88%) were medically treated.This study showed that the cause of duct ectasia is benign, ranging from inflammatory to nonspecific findings and the neoplasia is a rare cause of this disease.Recommendations•Further studies with large samples should be performed.•Proper clinical examination, ultrasonography and cytopathology findings should be used in all patients presenting with duct ectasia and nipple discharge.•More advanced diagnostic techniques such as MRI should be used in order to improve the rate of accurate diagnosis.•Most of the patients with duct ectasia should be treated in a conservative way and the surgical approach should be kept as a final option.

DOI: 10.22271/27081494.2024.v6.i2c.127

Pages: 137-143 | Views: 69 | Downloads: 23

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