Galactogram for Investigation of Pathological Nipple Discharge: A Forgotten Arrow in the Radiologists’ Quiver?

Abstract

Conventional X-ray galactogram (CG) is an underutilized procedure in modern breast imaging despite offering the highest spatial resolution among all modalities available for imaging of the breast ducts. The superior diagnostic performance of CG as compared to that of both conventional mammogram and high-resolution ultrasonography makes it a valuable imaging modality for the evaluation of pathological nipple discharge (PND). In addition, CG should always be considered in women with bloody nipple discharge but normal ultrasound and mammogram. CG also has an important role in the preoperative localization of intraductal lesions. CG may be especially useful in resource-restricted settings where breast magnetic resonance imaging is not readily available as it can be easily performed at any mammography facility without the need for additional equipment. In this article, we describe two cases of PND, one of benign and the other of malignant etiology, to demonstrate the value of CG in these cases. We also review the current literature and compare CG with other modalities used for imaging of ductal system of the breast.

Keywords

Breast imaging - cancer - galactogram - mammography - nipple discharge

Publication History

Article published online:
23 June 2021

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