Preoperative percutaneous galactography : P23

Purpose: To describe the technique of preoperative percutaneous galactography (PPG) in patients with ductal pathology without nipple discharge or when standard preoperative galactography was not possible. Methods and materials: All patients from 2000 to 2008 in whom PPG was performed were retrospectively reviewed. The technique of PPG will be described. Indications, feasibility, performance, complications and results are assessed. In all patients surgical correlation has been performed. Results: PPG was performed under ultrasound guidance in 12 patients. First the pathologic duct was punctured with a 25 G needle and distended with saline. Then a mixture of blue dye and iodinated contrast material or only blue dye were injected. When a mixture of blue dye and iodinated contrast material was injected a mammographic control was performed. 9 patients had no nipple discharge. 3 patients had nipple discharge but standard preoperative galactography was not possible. PPG was possible in all patients with no complications. Indications for PPG were a suspected papilloma in 10 patients, a history of bloody discharge with a dilated duct in one patient and recurrent abscesses with a dilated duct in one patient. Of the 10 patients with a suspected papilloma, a papilloma was surgically confirmed in 9. Conclusion: Preoperative percutaneous galactography is a easy and accurate technique in patients with ductal pathology where standard preoperative galactography is not possible.