Improving ductoscopy with duct lavage and duct brushing

To assess the combined technique of duct lavage (DL) and duct brushing (DB) performed during ductoscopy in pathological nipple discharge (PND).

The study was conducted in two hospitals: Rea (Greece) and in Meet Ghmmr Oncology Center (Egypt), from January 2011 to April 2013. Sixty-four women were enrolled. A sample of cells was collected with the use of DB. Afterwards, DL was performed. For each case, liquid cytology was compared to the final histology.

From the 19 histological diagnosis of duct ectasia, cytology by DL plus DB (CDLDB) was correct in 17 cases (89.5%). For 28 papillomas, CDLDB was correct in 19 cases (67.9%). For breast cancer (six cases), CDLDB was correct in five cases (83.3%). Also, CDLDB found 45.5% of miscellaneous benign cases. In total, cytology performed by CDLDB was correct in 46 of 64 patients: 71.9%. Thus, the sensitivity of CDLDB ranged from 67% to 90%, depending on the histological diagnosis.

This technique showed a high accuracy, in contrast to other studies that used only DL.