VIENNA - In their evaluation of galactoscopy, German mammographers found that this new technique can endoscopically visualize the lactiferous ducts in order to pinpoint the pathology of nipple discharge.
Dr. Rudiger Schulz-Wendtland discussed his group’s findings in a presentation at the European Congress of Radiology on Monday. This pilot study was conducted at several institutions, including the University of Erlangen.
From December 1999 to August 2000, 11 patients with bloody nipple discharge were examined with ultrasound, cytology, galactography, and, finally, galactoscopy using Endo Gnost, an endoscopic system developed by Poly Diagnost in Pfaffenhoffen, Germany.
The ducts cannula has an outer diameter of 0.45 mm and an inner diameter of 0.36 mm. The working length is 30 mm. The endoscope has an outer diameter of 0.30 mm, 1,600-pixel resolution, integrated light fibers for illumination, and is adapted to a CCD camera.
"You can see the papilloma directly in the duct [with this technique]," Schulz-Wendtland said.
All 11 patients were successfully imaged with the galactoscope. The visual and galactographical diagnosis was intraductal papilloma in nine patients and intraductal cancer in two patients, Schulz-Wendtland said.
Thus far, one advantage of galactoscopy over galactography is that it is less time-consuming and is an easier procedure to perform, Schulz-Wendtland said. Future research will focus on a larger patient population, he concluded.
One session attendee asked how far the galactoscope was able to penetrate into the duct.
"Because this was an experimental study, when we saw the first papilloma, we stopped," Schulz-Wendtland replied. "But it’s possible with the fiber-optics to go 4.5 cm into the duct."
In terms of cost, Schulz-Wendtland said that the cannula will most likely be priced around 2,000 German marks, but that the kit can be used for gynecological exams as well, which may make it more cost effective.
By Shalmali Pal
AuntMinnie.com staff writer
March 6, 2001
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