What is the purpose of a Ductogram?
A ductogram, or galactogram, is used to acquire images of the lumen of an individual duct and can help determine the cause of nipple discharge. In this procedure, a fine plastic tube (30-gauge) is placed into the opening of the suspected duct in the nipple.
What is a Ductogram of the breast?
A ductogram, also known as a galactogram, is an imaging test used to identify the cause of nipple discharge. The ductography procedure is similar to a mammogram, except that a contrast dye is injected into the breast before the X-ray, to provide an even more detailed view of the milk ducts.
How is Galactogram performed?
A galactogram is a mammogram that’s done after x-ray dye has been injected into a breast duct through the nipple. It’s done to see if there’s an abnormality within the duct that may be causing nipple discharge. This procedure is also done to find a duct with an abnormality before the surgeon removes it.
Is a Ductogram painful?
A ductogram procedure can be mildly uncomfortable but is not usually painful. A ductogram is likely to be more uncomfortable when there is not a significant quantity of nipple discharge, making it difficult for the physician to find the opening of the discharging duct.
Who performs a Ductogram?
This non-invasive procedure is helpful when the patient has nipple discharge but has an otherwise normal mammogram. Ductograms are performed in the mammography room by an interventional radiologist and is an out-patient procedure.
Are there papillomas in the ducts of the breast?
In papillomatosis, there are very small areas of cell growth within the ducts, but they aren’t as distinct as papillomas are. Ductograms (x-rays of the breast ducts) are sometimes helpful in finding papillomas.
What are the symptoms of breast intraductal papilloma?
Breast intraductal papilloma symptoms. A papilloma can present as a small ‘outwardly curved’ bump. Papillomas can either grow on the surface of the breast or within the breast ducts themselves. In the latter case, papillomas are only visible on mammography or by a microscope.
Where does intraductal papilloma originate in the body?
Intraductal papillomas are of two types: central papillomas, commonly originating in a major duct near the nipple, and peripheral papillomas, which arise from the TDLU. 17 Central papillomas commonly are associated with a bloody nipple discharge.
Is there any treatment for an intraductal papilloma?
Treatment of Intraductal Papillomas. Intraductal papillomas can be surgically removed if they prove bothersome. A small incision is made along the edge of your areola, then the papilloma and its duct are removed. The resulting scar can be nearly undetectable.