COMPARISON OF GALACTOGRAPHY, ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND CONTRAST ENHANCED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FINDINGS WITH PATHOLOGY RESULTS IN PATIENTS WITH PATHOLOGIC NIPPLE DISCHARGE

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lesion detection rates of imaging methods by comparing galactography, ultrasonography(US) and contrast enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging(CE-MRI) findings with pathology results in patients with pathologic nipple discharge(PND). Materials and Methods: Fifty-two female patients with PND were included the study. Radiologic imaging and pathology results of patients were evaluated retrospectively. The lesion detection rates of galactography, US and CE-MRI were evaluated. Galactography findings were evaluated according to modified Galactogram Image Classification System(GICS) and compared with the pathology results. Results: Galactography was applied in 48 patients. While in 45(93.8%) of 48 patients lesion that causes PND was found on galactography. All of the patients had breast US. In 48(92.3%) patients, causing lesion was found on US. CE-MRI was performed in 33 of 52 patients, and lesion was found in 30 patients(90.9%). Lesion detection rates of galactography, US and CE-MRI findings were similar. Pathology results of 48 patients(92.3%) were benign, and the results of 3 patients(5.8%) were malignant. The result of 1 patient(2%), there was no lesion on pathologic examination. The sensitivity of galactography, US and CE-MRI were 93.6%, 92.2% and 90.6%, respectively. In the double and triple combinations of imaging methods regarding the lesion detection, sensitivity was found as 100%. There was no significant relationship between modified GICS scores and pathology results. Conclusion: The lesion detection rates of galactography, US, and CE-MRI were similar. When imaging methods are used in double and triple combinations, lesion detection rates could be increase.