Exploring the resourcefulness of an underutilized modality: Conventional ductography

Abstract

Ductography (DG), also called galactography, is an important imaging diagnostic tool for evaluating patients with suspicious nipple discharge (SND). It is practical and cost-effective yet it is heavily underutilized in resource-constrained countries. The aim of this review was to explore the use of conventional DG as a diagnostic tool in the management of patients with pathologic or SND. This is a review of available literature on DG and SND over the past 36 years. In patients with SND, conventional DG is still a valuable, simple, and cost-effective imaging tool for the accurate localization of causal intra-ductal lesions including breast cancer. In resource-challenged environments, therefore, promoting ductographic diagnosis is cost-effective and attractive because it also affords curative targeted duct excisions.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• duct
• ductography
• galactography
• pathological or suspicious nipple discharge excision