Mammary ductoscopy for diagnosis and treatment of intraductal lesions of the breast

Meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness of ductoscopy, duct excision surgery and MRI for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with pathological nipple discharge

INTRODUCTION

Pathological nipple discharge (PND) is a common breast-related complaint for referral to a surgical breast clinic because of its association with breast cancer. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the diagnostic efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ductoscopy in patients with PND. Additionally, we determined the most cost-efficient strategy for the treatment of PND and the detection of breast cancer in PND patient without radiological suspicion for malignancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed and EMBASE were searched to collect the relevant literature from the inception of both diagnostic methods until January 27th 2020. The search yielded 815 original citations, of which 10 studies with 894 patients were finally included for analysis. Costs of ductoscopy, MRI and duct excision surgery were obtained from the UMC Utrecht as established in the year 2019. These costs included: medical personnel, overhead costs, material costs and sterilisation costs.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis showed no significant difference in sensitivity between ductoscopy (44%) and MRI (76%) for the detection of malignancy in patients with PND. However, ductoscopy (98%) had a statistically significantly higher specificity than MRI (84%). Individual costs were €1401.33, €822.13 and €6494.27 for ductoscopy, MRI and duct excision surgery, respectively. Full diagnostic strategy involving ductoscopy was on average €1670.97, while with MRI it was €2070.27.

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing MRI are more often (false) positive which more often leads to duct excision surgery referrals compared to ductoscopy. This makes ductoscopy significantly more cost-effective compared MRI in patients with PND without radiological suspicion for malignancy.

The INTEND 1 randomized controlled trial of duct endoscopy as an indicator of margin excision in breast conservation surgery

PURPOSE

With early detection, breast conservation surgery with adequate surgical margins is the standard of care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of pre-operative duct endoscopy (DE) to target surgical resection, improve adequate margins and reduce re-excision operations.

METHODS

Women with DCIS, stage I and II breast cancer suitable for breast conservation were randomized to DE-assisted wide local excision versus standard wide local excision (without DE). The primary endpoint was margin re-excision rates between the two groups. Secondary end points were: (i) volume differences of the surgical specimen; (ii) whether an extensive in situ component (EIC) influenced successful DE-guided resection.

RESULTS

78 women were randomized: 44 patients to no-DE and 34 patients to the DE group. The median age was 59 (49-65) and 56 (48-64) years in the two groups respectively with mean follow-up of 9.1 (4.2-11.1) years. There were 23 positive findings in 17 women in 30 successful DE procedures (17/30 = 56.7%). The surgical specimen volume, no-DE (17 [IQR 10-29] cm³) and DE 20 [IQR 12-28] cm³), did not differ, p = 0.377. The overall re-excision rate was 20/78 (26%), 9 (20%) and 11 (32% in the no-DE and DE groups, respectively, p = 0.233.

CONCLUSIONS

This randomized clinical trial was limited by incomplete accrual. DE did not contribute to improved margin excision rates whether a target lesion was visualized or not. The presence of EIC did not improve efficacy of DE.

Patient-reported outcomes of ductoscopy procedures for pathologic nipple discharge

Background

Pathologic nipple discharge (PND) is a common complaint often associated with breast cancer. However, when ultrasound and mammography are negative, the chances of malignancy are lower than 5%. Currently, major duct excision and microdochectomy are often recommended to alleviate symptoms and definitely rule out malignancy, but can cause infections and breastfeeding problems. Ductoscopy is a minimally invasive endoscopy technique that allows visualization of the mammary ducts and may not only obviate surgery but also detect malignancy. The aim of this study was to determine quality of life (QOL) after ductoscopy in patients with PND.

Materials and methods

All PND patients referred for ductoscopy between 2014 and 2015 to our hospital were included. Ductoscopy procedures were performed under local anaesthesia in the outpatient clinic. Patients were asked to fill out questionnaires (Breast-Q, EQ-5D-5L and SF-36) on the day of ductoscopy, and after 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months. Additionally, we performed reliability analysis to determine if these questionnaires were suitable for PND patients.

Results

Fifty consecutive patients underwent ductoscopy of whom 47 patients participated in this study. One domain of SF-36 (vitality) varied significantly over time. Breast-Q, SF-36 and EQ-5D-5L showed that QOL after ductoscopy for PND was unaffected by ductoscopy. Success of the ductoscopy procedure was a significant predictor for satisfaction with the result domain.

Conclusion

Ductoscopy is a minimally invasive technique that does not seem to impact QoL of PND patients over time. Breast-Q, SF-36 and EQ-5D-5L seem to be suitable existing QOL tests for PND patients undergoing ductoscopy, whereas SF-36 would require modifications.

Detection of breast cancer precursor lesions by autofluorescence ductoscopy

PURPOSE

Autofluorescence is an image enhancement technique used for the detection of cancer precursor lesions in pulmonary and gastrointestinal endoscopy. This study evaluated the feasibility of addition of autofluorescence to ductoscopy for the detection of intraductal breast cancer precursor lesions.

METHODS

An autofluorescence imaging system, producing real-time computed images combining fluorescence intensities, was coupled to a conventional white light ductoscopy system. Prior to surgery, ductoscopy with white light and autofluorescence was evaluated under general anaesthesia in women scheduled for therapeutic or prophylactic mastectomy. Endoscopic findings in both modes were compared, marked and correlated with histology of the surgical specimen.

RESULTS

Four breast cancer patients and five high-risk women, with a median age of 47 years (range 23-62) were included. In autofluorescence mode, two intraductal lesions were seen in two breast cancer patients, which had an increase in the red-to-green fluorescence intensity compared with the surrounding tissue. One lesion had initially been missed by white light ductoscopy but was clearly visible in subsequent autofluorescence mode. One endoscopic finding was classified as suspicious by white light, but was negative in autofluorescence mode and showed normal histology.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates for the first time the in vivo feasibility of autofluorescence ductoscopy to detect pathologically confirmed breast cancer precursor lesions in both breast cancer patients and high-risk women that were occult under white light.

Network Meta-analysis for the Diagnostic Approach to Pathologic Nipple Discharge

Pathologic nipple discharge (PND) is one of the most common breast-related complaints for referral because of its supposed association with breast cancer. The aim of this network meta-analysis (NMA) was to compare the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound, mammogram, cytology, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ductoscopy in patients with PND, as well as to determine the best diagnostic strategy to assess the risk of malignancy as cause for PND. Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase were searched to collect relevant literature from the inception of each of the diagnostic methods until January 27, 2020. The search yielded 1472 original citations, of which 36 studies with 3764 patients were finally included for analysis. Direct and indirect comparisons were performed using an NMA approach to evaluate the combined odd ratios and to determine the surface under the cumulative ranking curves (SUCRA) of the diagnostic value of different imaging methods for the detection of breast cancer in patients with PND. Additionally, a subgroup meta-analysis comparing ductoscopy to MRI when conventional imaging was negative was also performed. According to this NMA, sensitivity for detection of malignancy in patients with PND was highest for MRI (83%), followed by ductoscopy (58%), ultrasound (50%), cytology (38%), and mammogram (22%). Specificity was highest for mammogram (93%) followed by ductoscopy (92%), cytology (90%), MRI (76%), and ultrasound (69%). Diagnostic accuracy was the highest for ductoscopy (88%), followed by cytology (82%), MRI (77%), mammogram (76%), and ultrasound (65%). Subgroup meta-analysis (comparing ductoscopy to MRI when ultrasound and mammogram were negative) showed no significant difference in sensitivity, but ductoscopy was statistically significantly better with regard to specificity and diagnostic accuracy. The results from this NMA indicate that although ultrasound and mammogram may remain low-cost useful first choices for the detection of malignancy in patients with PND, ductoscopy outperforms most imaging techniques (especially MRI) and cytology.

Interventional Ductoscopy as an Alternative for Major Duct Excision or Microdochectomy in Women Suffering Pathologic Nipple Discharge: A Single-center Experience

INTRODUCTION

Pathologic nipple discharge (PND) is, after palpable lumps and pain, the most common breast-related reason for referral to the breast surgeon and is associated with breast cancer. However, with negative mammography and ultrasound, the chance of PND being caused by malignancy is between 5% and 8%. Nevertheless, most patients with PND still undergo surgery in order to rule out malignancy. Ductoscopy is a minimally invasive endoscopic technique that enables direct intraductal visualization. The aim of this study was to evaluate (interventional) ductoscopy as an alternative to surgery in patients with negative conventional imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients with PND referred between 2010 and 2017 to our hospital for ductoscopy were retrospectively analyzed. Ductoscopy procedures were performed under local anesthesia in the outpatient clinic. The follow-up period was at least 3 months, and the primary outcome was the number of prevented surgical procedures. Furthermore, we evaluated possible complications after ductoscopy (infection and pain).

RESULTS

A total of 215 consecutive patients undergoing ductoscopy were analyzed. In 151 (70.2%) patients, ductoscopy was successful. In 102 procedures, an underlying cause for PND was visualized, of which 34 patients could be histologically proven and 82 patients treated. Sixty of the 215 patients were eventually operated, 8 owing to suspicious findings during ductoscopy, 42 owing to persistent PND, and 10 because of recurrent PND. In 7 patients, a malignancy was found (5 of them classified as suspicious at dusctoscopy). No serious side effects were seen.

CONCLUSION

Ductoscopy can be safely used as an alternative for surgery in the workup for PND.

Diagnosis of Nipple Discharge: Value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Ultrasonography in Comparison with Ductoscopy

Background:

Pathologic nipple discharge, which is a common reason for referral to the breast imaging service, refers to spontaneous or bloody nipple discharge that arises from a single duct. The most common cause of nipple discharge is benign breast lesions, such as solitary intraductal papilloma and papillomatosis. Nevertheless, in rare cases, a malignant cause of nipple discharge can be found.

Aims:

To study the diagnostic value of ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ductoscopy in patients with pathologic nipple discharge, compare their efficacy, and investigate the importance of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of intraductal pathologies.

Study Design:

Diagnostic accuracy study.

Methods:

Fifty patients with pathologic nipple discharge were evaluated by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Of these, 44 ductoscopic investigations were made. The patients were classified according to magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, and ductoscopy findings. A total of 25 patients, whose findings were reported as intraductal masses, underwent surgery oincluding endoscopic excision for two endoscopic excision. Findings were compared with the pathology results that were accepted as the gold standard in the description of the aetiology of nipple discharge. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography and ductoscopy findings were analysed comparatively in patients who had no surgery.

Results:

Intraductal masses were reported in 26 patients, 20 of whom operated and established accurate diagnosis of 18 patients on magnetic resonance imaging. According to the ultrasonography, intraductal masses were identified in 22 patients, 17 of whom underwent surgery. Ultrasonography established accurate diagnoses in 15 patients. Intraductal mass was identified in 22 patients and ductoscopy established accurate diagnoses based on histopathologic results in 16 patients. The sensitivities of methods were 75% in ultrasonography, 90% in magnetic resonance imaging, and 94.6% in ductoscopy. The specificities were 66.7% in ultrasonography, 66.7% in magnetic resonance imaging, and 40% in ductoscopy. Intraductal papillomas were mostly observed as oval nodules with well-circumscribed smooth margins within dilated ducts and persistant in the dynamic analysis. Lesions that protruded into the lumen of the ducts, either solitary or multiple, were characteristic ductoscopy findings of our patients who were diagnosed as having papilloma/papillomatosis.

Conclusion:

Magnetic resonance imaging and ductoscopy had no statistical superiority over each other, however they were superior to ultrasonography in the diagnosis of pathologic nipple discharge. Magnetic resonance imaging may be highly sensitive for diagnosing nipple discharge with new techniques and sequences and a non-invasive method that more advantageous for showing ductal tree visualization and is able to detect completely obstructed intraductal lesions.

Ex vivo feasibility study of endoscopic intraductal laser ablation of the breast

OBJECTIVE

To determine the feasibility and safety of breast endoscopic thulium laser ablation for treatment of intraductal neoplasia.

STUDY DESIGN

Ductoscopy is a minimally invasive endoscopic approach of the milk ducts of the breast via the nipple. Besides diagnosis in women with pathologic nipple discharge (PND), it allows non-invasive removal of intraductal lesions with a stalk like papillomas. Removal, however, is often incomplete and flat lesions cannot be targeted. We therefore developed laser ductoscopy.

METHODS

Dosimetry of laser ductoscopy was assessed in thirteen mastectomy specimens, applying power settings of 1-5 W with 100-1000 ms pulsed exposure to a 375-μm outer diameter thulium fiber laser. Subsequently histology was obtained from the breast tissue that was treated with the Thulium laser.

RESULTS

Endoscopic view was maintained during ductoscopic laser ablation at 1-3 W. Increasing power to 4-5 W caused impaired vision due to shrinkage of the main duct around the ductoscope tip. Histology revealed localized ablation of the duct wall.

CONCLUSION

We show for the first time that laser ductoscopy is technically feasible. The Thulium laser enables a superficial intraductal ablation and is a useful tool for intraductal interventions. An in vivo prospective study is needed to further demonstrate its potential. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:137-142, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A nomogram based on mammary ductoscopic indicators for evaluating the risk of breast cancer in intraductal neoplasms with nipple discharge

Mammary ductoscopy (MD) is commonly used to detect intraductal lesions associated with nipple discharge. This study investigated the relationships between ductoscopic image-based indicators and breast cancer risk, and developed a nomogram for evaluating breast cancer risk in intraductal neoplasms with nipple discharge. A total of 879 consecutive inpatients (916 breasts) with nipple discharge who underwent selective duct excision for intraductal neoplasms detected by MD from June 2008 to April 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. A nomogram was developed using a multivariate logistic regression model based on data from a training set (687 cases) and validated in an independent validation set (229 cases). A Youden-derived cut-off value was assigned to the nomogram for the diagnosis of breast cancer. Color of discharge, location, appearance, and surface of neoplasm, and morphology of ductal wall were independent predictors for breast cancer in multivariate logistic regression analysis. A nomogram based on these predictors performed well. The P value of the Hosmer-Lemeshow test for the prediction model was 0.36. Area under the curve values of 0.812 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.763-0.860) and 0.738 (95 % CI 0.635-0.841) was obtained in the training and validation sets, respectively. The accuracies of the nomogram for breast cancer diagnosis were 71.2 % in the training set and 75.5 % in the validation set. We developed a nomogram for evaluating breast cancer risk in intraductal neoplasms with nipple discharge based on MD image findings. This model may aid individual risk assessment and guide treatment in clinical practice.

Comparison of ductoscopy, galactography, and imaging modalities for the evaluation of intraductal lesions: a critical review

BACKGROUND

Today, in cases of nipple discharge of unclear origin, the abundance of diagnostic procedures - a, diagnostic dilemma' - becomes apparent, because unequivocal indications and a current, standardized examination sequence are presently not available. The diagnostic workup of patients with nipple discharge usually includes the clinical history, physical examination, mammography, ultrasonography, galactography, and nipple discharge cytology, but not ductoscopy.

METHODS

In this review we analyze and discuss the possible role of ductoscopy in evaluating intraductal pathologies and its combined use with diagnostic imaging modalities. For this purpose, we reviewed and compared the results of the radiological, pathological, and surgical studies independently.

CONCLUSIONS

Currently, there is no solitary accurate modality to reach our definitive purpose. Being aware of the capability of each diagnostic modality may take us closer to our target. Therefore, adjunct and appropriate use of multiple imaging modalities and ductoscopy is necessary to evaluate patients with nipple discharge.

[The role of ductoscopy in the modern diagnostics and therapy of breast diseases]

Mammary ductoscopy is a modern, minimally invasive procedure that enables direct, in vivo observation of the mammary ductal system, primarily by nipple discharge. The rapidly developing device is suitable for aimed biopsy for further cytological or molecular examinations. High-tech equipments facilitate polypectomy or laser vaporization of certain intraluminal lesions, and play an important role in the direct surgical excision of the duct or the so-called terminal duct-lobular unit. The above listed facilitate the early diagnosis of malignancies even before imaging could detect them, and the control of high risk patients. Ductoscopy can foster surgical removal of ductal in situ tumors as anatomical units, thus enabling the optimization of radicality of breast conserving surgeries. Authors give a detailed description of the surgical techniques, and provide a wide review of the literature, for the first time in the Hungarian language. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1284-1293.

Mammary ductoscopy in the current management of breast disease

BACKGROUND

The majority of benign and malignant lesions of the breast are thought to arise from the epithelium of the terminal duct-lobular unit (TDLU). Although modern mammography, ultrasound, and MRI have improved diagnosis, a final pathological diagnosis currently relies on percutaneous methods of sampling breast lesions. The advantage of mammary ductoscopy (MD) is that it is possible to gain direct access to the ductal system via the nipple. Direct visualization of the duct epithelium allows the operator to precisely locate intraductal lesions, enabling accurate tissue sampling and providing guidance to the surgeon during excision. The intraductal approach may also have a role in screening individuals who are at high risk of breast cancer. Finally, in spontaneous nipple discharge (SND), as biopsy instruments improve and intraductal therapeutics, such as intraductal excision and laser ablation, become a possibility, normal or benign ductoscopic findings may help minimize surgery in selected patients. As MD technology is rapidly advancing, a comprehensive review of current practice will be a valuable guide for clinicians involved in the management of breast disease.

METHODS

This is a review of current ductoscopic practice based on an exhaustive literature search of Pubmed, Google Scholar, and conference proceedings. The search terms "ductoscopy", "duct endoscopy", "mammary", "breast," and "intraductal" were used.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS

Duct endoscopes have become smaller in diameter with working channels and improved optical definition. Currently, the role of MD is best defined in the management of SND facilitating targeted surgical excision, potentially avoiding unnecessary surgery, and limiting the extent of surgical resection for benign disease. The role of MD in breast-cancer screening and breast conservation surgery has yet to be fully defined. Few prospective randomized trials exist in the literature, and these would be crucial to validate current opinion, not only in the benign setting but also in breast oncologic surgery.

Intraductal approach to breast cancer: the role of mammary ductoscopy

Mammary ductoscopy is a recent advance enabling direct visualisation and sampling of human mammary ducts using a micro endoscope. The majority of pre malignant and malignant changes in the breast arise from the epithelium lining the duct lobular unit, and access to this region by ductoscopy has the potential to revolutionise breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. The ability to sample ductal epithelium may allow identification of early malignant and pre-malignant cytological changes and assist surgical excision, facilitating diagnosis of non palpable cancer before detection on current imaging modalities. Presently, there are three main indications for ductoscopy in clinical practice viz. determining extent of resection for breast cancer, assessment of high risk individuals and in the management of patients with pathological nipple discharge. Our initial experience with ductoscopy in patients with nipple discharge undergoing surgery has been rewarding. Ductoscopy was feasible in 92% of patients. Abnormal findings on ductoscopy were associated with DCIS in 37% and DCIS with early invasive breast cancer in 21%, while normal ductoscopy correlated with a normal pathological assessment.

Mammary ductoscopy and ductal washings for the evaluation of patients with pathologic nipple discharge

The majority of breast diseases result from lesions of the ductal epithelium. Mammary ductoscopy allows for visualization of intraductal abnormalities, and ductoscopic lavage provides thousands of cells for analysis. We reviewed our experience of 89 cases of patients with pathologic nipple discharge (PND) undergoing ductoscopy-directed duct excision and collection of ductal washings. Patients undergoing ductoscopy-directed duct excision with ductal washings had an 88% abnormal pathology rate. Most abnormalities were benign (71% papillomas), but the atypia rate for this group was 62%. The combination of visualization and pathologic analysis of washings provided the highest predictive value for the diagnosis of papilloma. Cellular yields for this technique were excellent with most specimens yielding >5,000 epithelial cells per high powered field and with evaluable ductal cells in 82% of specimens. Mammary ductoscopy offers the advantage of a high lesion localization rates with intraoperative guidance. The most accurate tool was the combination of ductal washings and ductoscopic visualization, but preoperative use of these techniques is not helpful in most cases. Greater than 90% of patients with PND are found to have a lesion on pathologic examination when using this technique for directed duct excision. Of interest, ductal washings obtained from symptomatic patients with benign diseases are often atypical.

Breast ductoscopy and the evolution of the intra-ductal approach to breast cancer

Interest in breast endoscopy came from Oriental investigators in the early 1990s where bloody nipple discharge is a more common presentation of breast cancer. The early techniques using a single microfiber scope without ductal distension was successful in navigating only the first 1-3 cm of the ducts and fraught with technical problems such as scope breakage and poor image quality. In spite of these barriers there has been increasing use of this technology in Japan and more widespread acceptance as the technology of scope design improved. Dooley and others tested a new method of obtaining a rich cytologic specimen from the ducts of high-risk women known as ductal lavage recently. The success of this procedure was that it detected severe cytologic and malignant atypia in clinically and radiographically normal breasts. Reproducibly, the same breast duct could be cannulated and severely atypical cytology obtained. The problem arose in identifying the lesion within the breast, which was the source for the atypia. New American multi-fiber microendoscopes were applied to solve this problem in an initial series of patients with abnormal cytology to identify the lesions. Success of that series lead to wider application of the imaging technology and eventual adoption of this imaging modality help to guide during all non-mastectomy breast surgery where fluid could be elicited from the nipple to identify the duct connecting to the lesion for which surgery was being performed. Initial reports have demonstrated the types of operative findings in certain sub-populations early in the use of this technology.

Benign and malignant lesions in the human breast depicted with ultrahigh resolution and three-dimensional optical coherence tomography

Institutional review board approval at the participating institutions was obtained. Informed consent was waived for this HIPAA-compliant study. The study purpose was to establish the correspondence of optical coherence tomographic (OCT) image findings with histopathologic findings to understand which features characteristic of breast lesions can be visualized with OCT. Imaging was performed in 119 specimens from 35 women aged 29-81 years with 3.5-microm axial resolution and 6-microm transverse resolution at 1.1-microm wavelength on freshly excised specimens of human breast tissue. Three-dimensional imaging was performed in 43 specimens from 23 patients. Microstructure of normal breast parenchyma, including glands, lobules, and lactiferous ducts, and stromal changes associated with infiltrating cancer were visible. Fibrocystic changes and benign fibroadenomas were identified. Imaging of ductal carcinoma in situ, infiltrating cancer, and microcalcifications correlated with corresponding histopathologic findings. OCT is potentially useful for visualization of breast lesions at a resolution greater than that of currently available clinical imaging methods.

Autofluorescence Ductoscopy: A New Imaging Technique for Intraductal Breast Endoscopy

BACKGROUND

Conventional diagnostic imaging techniques of the female breast, eg, ultrasound, mammography, breast magnetic resonance imaging, or ductography, can only give indirect information about the inside of breast ducts. Diagnostic ductoscopy is the first approach for direct visualization of intraductal lesions. Autofluorescence ductoscopy is a new, noninvasive imaging technique that better identifies intraductal lesions under direct vision.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We describe the technical development of autofluorescence ductoscopy and initial experience with early clinical evaluation at Frauenklinik (OB/GYN) of Technical University Munich, Germany, and its potential future application. In contrast to standard white light breast endoscopy, autofluorescence ductoscopy uses a different light spectrum and, after sophisticated data processing, can mark suspicious intraductal lesions in blue-violet colors. Autofluorescence ductoscopy adds new visual information previously not seen in white-light endoscopy. Technical development is completed and clinical evaluation is under way.

RESULTS

In a small series, the autofluorescence ductoscope was used and confirmed the initial expectations. No complication was expected or occurred. At present time, it is being used on an experimental basis for evaluation of its clinical benefits.

CONCLUSION

The clinical evaluation of autofluorescence ductoscopy is a work in progress at an early stage. This technique is intended to improve visualization and identification of breast duct walls and lesions and possibly allows an instant visual semiquantitative histologic evaluation of nonbenign ductal lesions.

Diagnostic value of ductoscopy in the diagnosis of nipple discharge and intraductal proliferations in comparison to standard methods

BACKGROUND

Ductoscopy is gaining increased importance in the diagnosis of nipple discharge of unclear origin and intraductal proliferation. For this reason we compared its diagnostic value and feasibility to standard diagnostic methods.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ductoscopy was compared to mammography, galactography, sonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nipple smear, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), and high-speed core biopsy; feasibility, sensitivity, and specificity were investigated for each method.

RESULTS

71 ductoscopies were evaluated, which were followed up by open biopsies. Here, 3 invasive and 8 ductal carcinomas in situ were found, as well as 3 atypical ductal hyperplasias, 44 papillomas/papillomatoses, and 13 benign findings. Feasibility of ductoscopy was in this series 100%. Duct sonography showed the highest sensitivity (67.3%), followed by MRI (65.2%), galactography (56.3%), ductoscopy (55.2%), and FNAC (51.9%). The highest specificity was shown by FNAC, core biopsy, and galactography (each 100.0%), followed by mammography (92.3%), nipple smear (77.8%), ductoscopy, and duct sonography (each 61.5%); the lowest specificity was displayed by MRI (25.0%).

CONCLUSION

The results confirm that ductoscopy can be performed within the same range of sensitivity and specificity as other techniques. In order to make conclusive statements about ductoscopy, especially in order to precisely define the indications for this method, a prospective multicenter study was initiated.

Mammary ductoscopy for the evaluation of nipple discharge and comparison with standard diagnostic techniques

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To describe performance of breast duct endoscopy and compare the method with conventional diagnostic techniques.

DESIGN

Canadian Task Force classification III.

SETTING

Interdisciplinary Breast Unit of a university hospital.

PATIENTS

Consecutive and unselected series of 15 female patients including 20 breasts with nipple discharge.

INTERVENTIONS

Prospective data assessment on all patients with ductoscopy for nipple discharge between April 2003 to April 2004. All preoperative (mammography, ultrasonography, nipple smear) and minimally invasive (galactography, fine needle aspiration cytologic study) diagnostics were evaluated and compared with ductoscopy.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Mammography on 20 breasts showed BI-RADS-I (5%), BI-RADS-II (50%), and BI-RADS-III (45%). Breast ultrasound scanning showed abnormalities, classified as BI-RADS-III equivalent lesions in all cases. Nipple smear showed in 69.2% a normal cytology and in most cases revealed a papilloma later (n=8/9). Unilateral galactography was performed in 46.7% who had spontaneous nipple discharge. Two galactography results were unremarkable, and open biopsy demonstrated 1 atypical ductal hyperplasia and papilloma. On 20 breasts of 15 women, 19 ductoscopies were successfully performed (95%). In 17 cases open biopsy followed ductoscopy, and 1 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 3 atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), 1 ductal hyperplasia without atypias, and 12 ductal papillomas were found.

CONCLUSION

Compared to nipple smear, the diagnostic value of ductoscopy in this study is superior but marginally inferior to galactography and highly specialized breast ultrasound scanning. Therefore ductoscopy needs to be evaluated on a larger scale, preferably in multicenter trials to further determine its potential and indications.

Clinical Experience With Mammary Ductoscopy

BACKGROUND

Most breast cancers begin in the ductal epithelium with normal cells and progress to atypia and finally to carcinoma. Mammary ductoscopy enables one to directly visualize and sample the ductal epithelium and, therefore, identify early changes cytologically. This article describes our initial experience with mammary ductoscopy at Beth Israel Medical Center.

METHODS

A prospective review of all patients who underwent ductoscopy at Beth Israel Medical Center from November 2001 to February 2004 was performed. The indications for ductoscopy were a persistent nipple discharge, high-risk status, or intraoperative margin assessment in patients undergoing lumpectomy.

RESULTS

Seventy-four patients underwent ductoscopic evaluation of 88 ducts. Of the 32 patients who underwent office ductoscopy, 15 were high risk, and 17 had spontaneous nipple discharge. Spontaneous nipple discharge was the indication for ductoscopy in 40 of 42 intraoperative procedures. The remaining two patients underwent ductoscopy for margin assessment during breast conservation, and final pathologic analysis revealed negative margins. Thirty-eight of the 40 patients who had spontaneous nipple discharge had abnormal findings during ductoscopy and therefore underwent ductoscopically guided duct excision. Carcinoma was the final diagnosis in 5 (8.8%) of the 57 patients who were scoped for nipple discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Mammary ductoscopy is a potentially useful tool in the evaluation of patients with spontaneous nipple discharge. This is a well-tolerated office procedure with minimal risks and complications. Mammary ductoscopy may have a role in the assessment of high-risk women. Further research is necessary to confirm these potential applications.

Does mammary ductoscopy have a role in clinical practice?

BACKGROUND

Mammary ductoscopy (MD) is a newly developed endoscopic technique that allows direct visualisation of the mammary ductal epithelium using sub-millimetre fiberoptic microendoscopes inserted through the ductal opening onto the nipple surface. These scopes also provide working channels for insufflation, irrigation, ductal lavage, and possible therapeutic intervention. MD can be performed under local anaesthesia in the office setting. The objective of this study is to assess the technical feasibility of mammary ductoscopy, and examine its role in guiding ductal excision surgery and the early diagnosis of malignancy.

METHODS

Mammary ductoscopy (MD) was performed using a 1 mm fiberoptic microendoscope (Mastascope TM) in 26 patients (age range: 14-73 years): 13 patients undergoing mastectomy (n = 12) or lumpectomy (n = 1) for ductal carcinoma (including 12 cases of DCIS and one case of infiltrating ductal carcinoma) and 13 patients with pathological nipple discharge (PND) and benign breast imaging and simple discharge cytology. Of the latter group: 10 procedures were performed under local anaesthesia (LA) in the office setting and 3 procedures were carried out under general anaesthesia (GA) to guide duct excision surgery. The ductoscopic appearances in this group were graded between 0 and 5 (D0-D5) according to the degree of suspicion.

RESULTS

Intraoperative MD was accomplished in 11 (84.6%) of 13 patients undergoing surgery for DCIS. MD was unsuccessful in 2 cases: one patient (aged 73 years) had sclerosis of the nipple and one patient had preoperative vital blue injection in the subareolar region as part of the sentinel node biopsy thus resulting in inadequate visualisation. Intraductal pathology was visualised in 8 (80%) of the 10 cases undergoing mastectomy but ductoscopic cytology was positive for malignancy in only 2 cases (sensitivity = 16%, specificity = 100%). In the office setting, MD was accomplished in 9 (90%) out of 10 patients with PND and was well tolerated (mean pain score = 3.8 out of 10: range 0-7). Of these 10 patients; MD was inadequate (D0) in one patient due to complete occlusion of lumen by the lesion, showed a papilloma in 3 patients (D3), duct ectasia (D2) in 3 patients, irregular thickening of the lumen suspicious of DCIS (D4) in one patient and non-specific benign findings (D2) in 2 patients. Three women with benign ductoscopy and ductoscopy-assisted cytology were reassured and treated conservatively. The remaining 7 patients had ductoscopy-guided duct excision which revealed DCIS in one, papilloma in 4 and benign breast disease in 2 patients. Adequate cellular yield was obtained in 7 (70%) out of 10 cases (benign cytology). The three patients who had MD under GA during microdochectomy had benign endoscopic appearances and final histology (one papilloma and 2 cases of duct ectasia).

CONCLUSION

MD is technically feasible in most patients and has a potential in the early detection of breast cancer. The procedure can be performed safely in the office setting and should be considered in all patients presenting with a single duct PND. MD has the potential to reduce the number of duct excision procedures and minimise the extent of surgical resection. Ductoscopic cytology is not sufficiently sensitive for the diagnosis of malignancy and the development of a biopsy tool that obtains tissue under direct visualisation is required.

Ductoscopy and intraductal vacuum assisted biopsy in women with pathologic nipple discharge

BACKGROUND

Fiberoptic ductoscopy is increasingly used to evaluate pathologic nipple discharge. A major limitation of this technique is the inability to obtain tissue samples from suspicious intraductal lesions. We present a novel technique for ductoscopic biopsy of intraluminal tumors.

METHODS

From 2002 to 2005 ductoscopy was performed in 38 women with nipple discharge using a rigid gradient index microendoscope (diameter 0.7 mm) and a special needle for intraductal vacuum assisted biopsy. Results of preoperative biopsy were correlated with the histology of the resection specimen

RESULTS

Cannulation of the discharging duct was successful in 37 of 38 patients (97%). Intraductal lesions were diagnosed in 29 women (78%). The sensitivity of ductoscopy and galactography in the detection of intraductal lesion was comparable (96% vs. 89%). Ductoscopic biopsy of intraductal lesions was technically successful in all but one case. Generally, the quality of the biopsy samples was good. Diagnostic biopsy samples were obtained in 26 of 28 patients (93%). Two samples contained necrosis and were considered to be non-representative. Histological analysis of the biopsy specimens showed 22 papilloma, 2 in situ carcinoma and 2 invasive carcinoma. Histology of the resection specimens confirmed the diagnosis in all cases, but there was one case with additional carcinoma lobulare in situ.

CONCLUSIONS

Ductoscopic vacuum assisted biopsy is a new technique for tissue sampling of intraductal breast lesions. This method may improve preoperative evaluation of pathologic nipple discharge in selected patients, but it should not be considered as a method for screening of early breast cancer.

Breast cancer detection using mammary ductoscopy

Mammary ductoscopy (MD) has been used as a tool to evaluate the breast for cancer for over 10 years. MD allows the direct visualization of the duct lumen, providing a more targeted approach to the diagnosis of disease arising in the ductal system, since the lesion can be visualized and samples collected in the area of interest. Initial studies of MD evaluated women with pathologic spontaneous nipple discharge (PND), while more recent reports are also using MD to assess women without PND for the presence of breast cancer. Cytologic assessment of MD is highly specific but less sensitive in the detection of breast cancer. Nonetheless, a MD sample from a breast with PND may rarely undergo cytologic review and be interpreted as consistent with malignancy, only later to undergo surgical resection demonstrating benign pathology. For this reason, PND specimens interpreted as malignant on cytologic review require histopathologic confirmation prior to instituting therapy. Additional sample evaluation using image or molecular analysis may improve the sensitivity and specificity of MD in breast cancer detection.

The clinical applications of mammary ductoscopy

BACKGROUND

Mammary ductoscopy (MD) is a newly developed endoscopic technique that allows direct visualization and biopsy examination of the mammary ductal epithelium where most cancers originate. The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia in the office setting. This article reviews the rationale, current clinical applications, and limitations of MD.

METHODS

A literature search was performed using Pubmed for indexed articles published over the past 30 years using the key words "mammary ductoscopy," "breast ductoscopy," "ductal lavage," and "nipple aspiration." The most important articles were analyzed and discussed.

RESULTS

MD is a useful diagnostic adjunct in patients with pathologic nipple discharge. Furthermore, it can reduce the number and extent of duct excision surgeries for pathologic nipple discharge. There is a clear need to design prospective clinical trials that evaluate the potential role of MD in breast cancer screening, guiding risk-reducing strategies, and as an adjunct to breast-conservation surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

MD is useful in the management of PND, but its potential role in the early detection or management of breast cancer requires further investigation.

Breast papillomas: current management with a focus on a new diagnostic and therapeutic modality

Breast papilloma is a term that describes an intraductal papillary configuration of the mammary epithelium on macroscopic or microscopic examination. It includes solitary intraductal papillomas, multiple papillomas, papillomatosis, and juvenile papillomatosis (JP).

Recent advances in mammary ductoscopy (MD) have raised new possibilities in the diagnosis and treatment of breast papillomas. This technique represents an important diagnostic adjunct in patients with pathological nipple discharge (PND) by allowing direct visualisation and biopsy of intraductal lesions and guiding duct excision surgery.

Treatment of breast papillomas often entails surgical duct excision for symptomatic relief and histopathological examination. Recently, more conservative approach has been adapted. MD-assisted microdochectomy should be considered the procedure of choice for a papilloma-related single duct discharge. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that MD has the potential to reduce the number of duct excision procedures and minimise the extent of surgical resection. Imaging-guided vacuum-assisted core biopsy can be diagnostic and therapeutic for papillomas seen on mammography and/or ultrasound.

Patients with multiple papillomas do have an increased risk of developing cancer and should be kept under annual review with regular mammography (preferably digital mammography) if treated conservatively. Magnetic resonance (MR) can be also used in surveillance in view of its high sensitivity. Because the risk is small, long term and affects both breasts, long-term follow-up is more appropriate than prophylactic mastectomy. Patients who prove to have solitary duct papilloma have insufficient increase in the risk of subsequent malignancy to justify routine follow-up.

The future prospect: ductoscopy-directed brushing and biopsy

The intraductal approach to breast cancer and premalignant lesions has now developed to yield substantial cytologic samples of exfoliated cells. Standard cytology is still inadequate in sensitivity and specificity to accurately interpret the majority of samples. As techniques evolve using ductoscopic biopsy and molecular marker panels to increase accuracy of cytologic interpretation, these tools will be able to unravel the breast carcinogenesis pathways. They will also offer considerable benefit in screening for premalignant changes and developing effective chemoprevention strategies.

Comparative analysis of minimally invasive microductectomy versus major duct excision in patients with pathologic nipple discharge

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive techniques are being used increasingly in patients with benign and malignant breast diseases. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic yield of 2 groups of patients who underwent either minimally invasive microductectomy or major duct excision for pathologic nipple discharge.

METHODS

Two hundred thirty-five patients who underwent nipple exploration and duct excision and were part of an institutional review board-approved database were included in this retrospective analysis. Preoperative imaging, ductal washing cytology, surgical specimen size, and final histopathology were compared among 95 patients who underwent microductectomy by using intraoperative ductoscopy and 140 patients undergoing standard major duct excision.

RESULTS

Mean age of patients undergoing microductectomy was 53 versus 55 years in patients undergoing major duct excision. Preoperative mammogram was negative or benign in 92% and suspicious in 8% of patients in both the microductectomy group and the major duct excision group. A ductal abnormality was identified by preoperative ductography in 43 of 56 (77%) patients in the microductectomy group versus 74 of 92 (80%) patients in the major duct excision group. Ductal cytology was benign in 81% and 80% of patients tested, respectively. Mean specimen size was significantly smaller in patients who underwent microductectomy (9.2 cm3) as compared with major duct excision (12.6 cm3). Although the percentage of patients with atypical ductal hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ was similar among the 2 groups (9% vs 10%), only 3 of 95 (3%) patients within the microductectomy group were found to have carcinoma within the resection specimen as compared with 12 of 140 (9%) within the major duct excision group (P = .03). Mean specimen size of the patients diagnosed with carcinoma was 8.6 cm(3) in the microductectomy group as compared with 15.5 cm3 in the major duct excision group (P = .014).

CONCLUSIONS

These data confirm that patients who present with single duct pathologic nipple discharge usually have benign pathology as the etiology. However, in a small percentage of patients an occult carcinoma might be present. Major duct excision appears to detect a higher percentage of occult carcinoma when compared with minimally invasive microductectomy, which might be related to the larger sample size of the resection specimen.

Breast ductoscopy with a 0.55-mm mini-endoscope for direct visualization of intraductal lesions

Standard radiologic examinations of breast duct lesions can give only indirect information. Mini-endoscopy with a breast ductoscope of only 0.55 mm offers direct visualization of the lesion and helps in the decision to perform or avoid exploratory breast tissue resection. We used a LaDuScope (PolyDiagnost, Pfaffenhofen, Germany) with a 0.55- or 0.95-mm outer diameter and a 75-mm working length from October 2003 through July 2004 on 11 women (average age of 48.3 years [range 36-69 years]) with suspicious nipple discharge. The optics have zero-degree direct view, 70-degree field vision, and 3000 or 6000 pixel resolution. Breast ducts and walls could be easily inspected; and irrigation of breast ducts, aspiration, and use of cytology brush were possible under visual control. We had no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The new procedure of mini-ductoscopy is feasible, safe, and helpful as an additional ambulatory diagnostic method for visual inspection of breast ducts. This instrument demonstrates the latest advances of technology and a trend toward less-invasive diagnostics for breast duct lesions.

A comparison of ductoscopy-guided and conventional surgical excision in women with spontaneous nipple discharge

INTRODUCTION

Radiologic imaging is routinely used to evaluate women with spontaneous nipple discharge (SND), but definitive diagnosis is usually only achieved by surgical terminal duct excision (TDE). Ductoscopy has been reported to result in improved localization of intraductal lesions and may avoid surgery in women with endoscopically normal ducts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of the records of 117 consecutive women who underwent ductoscopy to guide ductal excision (scope-DE) or received conventional TDE without ductoscopy. Two women had atypical ductal lavage cytology and the remainder presented with SND from 1 or more duct. Preoperative evaluation included radiologic imaging as clinically indicated.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine women underwent scope-DE, and 58 underwent conventional TDE. There were no significant differences in age, race, discharge characteristics, or radiologic findings. The proportion of women with intraductal neoplasia was slightly greater in the group undergoing scope-DE (88% vs. 81%, P = 0.2). In the conventional TDE group, 8.5% were found to have atypical hyperplasia or duct carcinoma in situ compared with 18.6% in the scope-DE group. In the ductoscopy group, 22 of 59 (37.3%) had lesions >5 cm from the nipple, compared with 1 of 17 women for whom distance of the lesion from the nipple was known in the conventional group (P = 0.02). Of the ductoscopy-detected cancers, 5 of 6 had no symptoms other than SND, whereas 1 of the 4 malignancies in the conventional group presented as SND alone.

DISCUSSIONS

Ductoscopy identifies intraductal lesions in a high proportion of women with SND, and it may contribute to more accurate resection of these. A prospective study is required to obtain an unbiased assessment of these possible advantages.

Mammary ductoscopy: current status and future prospects

BACKGROUND

Mammary ductoscopy (MD) allows direct visualisation of the mammary ducts using sub-millimetre fiberoptic microendoscopes inserted through the ductal opening onto the nipple surface. The sharp clear magnified images are viewed on a video monitor. Such scopes have working channels that allow irrigation and ductal lavage for cytological analysis. MD can be performed under local anaesthesia in the office setting. This article reviews the evolving role of MD in the diagnosis and treatment of intraductal breast disease.

METHODS

A literature search was carried out from Pubmed for indexed articles published over the last 30 years using the keywords 'mammary ductoscopy' and 'breast ductoscopy'.

RESULTS

The search yielded 27 indexed published articles and reports. Important major reports and studies were reviewed, screened and tracked for other relevant publications. The most important articles were analysed and discussed. The review also includes our published and unpublished original work in the field of MD.

CONCLUSIONS

MD is a useful diagnostic adjunct in patients with pathological nipple discharge (PND). Furthermore, it can reduce the number and extent of duct excision operations for PND. However, its potential use in the early detection of breast cancer, guiding breast conserving surgery (BCS) for cancer, therapeutic ablation of intraductal disease, and guiding risk-reducing strategies among high risk women requires further research and evaluation. Future developments include the development of a biopsy kit, combining MD with molecular diagnostic markers and real-time optical biopsy system for the diagnosis of pre-malignant and early malignant disease and radiofrequency for curative ablation of intraductal lesions.

Office-based breast ductoscopy for diagnosis

OBJECTIVE

Ductoscopy is an evolving technology that has been used primarily and historically in conjunction with open surgical procedures. New technical improvements allow intraductal biopsy and therefore its application in the clinical setting for diagnostic evaluations of the breast. This study looks at the initial use of intraductal biopsy in a variety of settings from an academic university practice to a private single-surgeon office.

METHODS

This is a multicenter retrospective series of 88 patients undergoing ductoscopy of > or =1 duct for the diagnostic workup of common breast problems. The procedures were done with the patient under local anesthesia, and intraductal biopsy specimens were taken and analyzed as breast cytology samples.

RESULTS

Of the 88 patients undergoing office ductoscopy, nipple discharge was the most common indication (n = 83 patients; 94% to 66% spontaneous and 34% elicited). Fifty-five percent were high risk for breast cancer by history. The majority of patients had normal previous mammograms: 48 Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BIRADS) 1, 24 BIRADS 2, and 7 BIRADS 3 to 5. The most common finding was papilloma present in 29 (32%) patients by endoscopy. Only 31% of patients had a history of brown or bloody nipple discharge. A wide variety of other endoscopic abnormalities were seen and biopsied. The average number of biopsies per patient was 2 with 18 (20.5%) having severe or malignant atypia. Further follow-up and management of these more concerning abnormalities is currently ongoing.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that office ductoscopy with biopsy is both feasible and does identify suspicious or malignant atypia in patients with expressed or spontaneous nipple fluid.

Intraductal biopsy for diagnosis and treatment of intraductal lesions of the breast

BACKGROUND

Bloody nipple discharge is a significant clue in the detection of ductal carcinoma of the breast. In the past, pathologic diagnoses were obtained exclusively via excision, but recently developed mammoscopic techniques have been found to yield valuable information relating to the diagnosis of intraductal lesions.

METHODS

Mammary duct endoscopy (i.e., mammoscopy) was performed a combined total of 407 times for 295 patients who experienced nipple discharge. Intraductal breast biopsy (IDBB) under mammoscopic observation was performed in 193 intraductal papillomas (from a total of 107 patients) and 30 ductal carcinomas (from a total of 27 patients); IDBB was performed a combined total of 36 times in the 27 patients who had breast carcinoma and yielded 21 diagnostic specimens (58.3%). In addition, the therapeutic value of IDBB was assessed in 70 patients with intraductal papilloma who had undergone more than 3 years of follow-up; these 70 patients harbored a combined total of 75 intraductal papillomas.

RESULTS

IDBB correctly identified the presence of carcinoma in 9 of 27 patients (33.3%); 7 other lesions (25.9%) were placed in the suspected carcinoma (i.e., atypical papillary lesion) category, and 5 (18.5%) were identified as intraductal papillomas. Using IDBB, it was difficult to collect diagnostic specimens from patients with breast carcinoma, because of the location and weak tissue cohesiveness of these lesions compared with intraductal papillomas. The 193 intraductal biopsies performed on intraductal papillomas yielded only 20 specimens that were insufficient for diagnosis. IDBB exhibited therapeutic efficacy in 54 of 70 patients with intraductal papilloma (77.6%) who had more than 3 years of clinical follow-up. Therapeutic results tended to be less favorable for patients who had intraductal lesions in multiple duct lobular units.

CONCLUSIONS

Mammoscopy can contribute not only to the diagnosis of cases of nipple discharge but also to the treatment of intraductal papilloma.

Routine operative breast endoscopy during lumpectomy

BACKGROUND

Lumpectomy for the management of breast cancer is commonly directed by mammography or ultrasound. We hypothesized that fluid-producing ducts would likely connect to the site of the known cancerous or precancerous lesion and that endoscopic evaluation might reveal unsuspected additional disease.

METHODS

All women undergoing lumpectomy in a single surgeon's practice from January 2000 to August 2001 were evaluated for fluid production from the nipple at the time of lumpectomy. All fluid-producing ducts were cannulated and endoscoped with a 0.9-mm Acueity microendoscope.

RESULTS

Of the 201 patients (16 with atypical ductal hyperplasia, 52 with ductal carcinoma-in-situ, and 133 with stage 1 or 2 breast cancers), 150 (74.6%) could be successfully dilated and scoped. Additional lesions outside the anticipated lumpectomy were identified in 41% (n = 83) of cases. If successful, the chances for a positive margin for cancer decreased from 23.5% to only 5.0%. Endoscopy proved to be a useful adjunct in this series of patients because it identified all cases of extensive intraductal component in early-stage breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine operative breast endoscopy can reduce the need for re-excision lumpectomy. It also finds substantially more cancerous and precancerous disease than anticipated by routine preoperative mammography and ultrasound.

Ductal lavage, nipple aspiration, and ductoscopy for breast cancer diagnosis

The intraductal approach to breast cancer has been invigorated this year by a series of papers exploring ductal-based screening through nipple aspiration and lavage and ductal exploration through endoscopy. The merging of these efforts to define the earliest biologic changes in the progression toward breast cancer is opening new fields for both bench-translational and clinical research. These techniques have already begun to show value in defining the presence and extent of proliferative disease in high-risk patients, allowing for more informed therapeutic decision making.