Pneumocystography in nonpalpable breast cysts: effect on remission rate

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect on remission rate after pneumocystography among nonpalpable cysts. A series of 206 nonpalpable cysts aspirated using the perforated compression plate technique was reviewed. The effect on remission was evaluated on mammograms obtained 1-3 years after the cyst aspiration. Logistic regression was used to compare the effect between those examined with pneumocystography (n=62) and those aspirated alone (n=144). The ratio of complete remission was 52% (32/62) with pneumocystography compared to 53% (76/144) without. In univariate analysis there was no association between pneumocystography and complete remission. However, complete emptying of the cyst was significantly associated with complete remission (OR = 1.85, 95%CI = 1.05-3.25). In a multivariate model, complete emptying without pneumocystography was significantly associated with complete remission (OR = 2.40, 95%CI = 1.14-5.02) but not complete emptying in combination with pneumocystography (OR = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.24-2.89). Pneumocystography showed a close to two-fold association with complete remission. However, this association was not statistically significant (OR = 1.92, 95%CI = 0.52-7.05). In conclusion, complete emptying of a nonpalpable cyst significantly increased the chance of complete remission when pneumocystography was not performed. Pneumocystography showed no significant effect on remission rate.