[Mammary ductal ectasia child. Diagnostic and therapeutic approach]
Insights
Mammary duct ectasia is rare in children, often presenting as a breast mass or nipple discharge. This condition may indicate a developmental anomaly, with sonography aiding diagnosis and a conservative approach usually recommended.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Radiology
Background:
- Mammary duct ectasia, typically acquired in adults, is infrequently observed in pediatric patients.
- Its presentation in children raises suspicion for underlying congenital mammary gland anomalies.
Observation:
- The case involved a 13-year-old female experiencing nipple discharge.
- Physical examination revealed a periareolar mammary mass.
Findings:
- Sonographic evaluation proved instrumental in diagnosing the condition.
- The patient was ultimately diagnosed with bilateral mammary duct ectasia.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis and differentiation from juvenile fibroadenoma or malignancy are crucial.
- A conservative management strategy is generally advised, reserving surgical intervention for persistent or complicated cases.
Abstract:
Mammary duct ectasia in childhood is a rare disease. It appears typically as a periareolar mammary mass and/or nipple discharge. Even though in the adult age is an acquired disease, its occurrence in children suggests it may constitute a development mammary gland anomaly. Sonography is highly useful in the diagnosis. Differential diagnosis must include other nipple discharge and mammary mass causes as the juvenile fibroadenoma or malignant pathology. This usually is a self-limited process, so that a conservative approach is recommended, even though occasionally surgical treatment is required. We report the case of a 13 years old girl with nipple discharge who finally was diagnosed bilateral mammary duct ectasia.
