Clinical value of radiologic anatomy of mammary duct

【Objective】To investigate the clinical values of the ultrasound and X-ray anatomic characteristics of the lactating and non lactating mammary ducts.【Methods】The breasts of 24 lactating women were scanned by ultrasound.The diameter,number and distribution of the mammary ducts were measured.One hundred and seven breasts from 84 non lactating women were underwent galactography.The mammary duct patterns and the galactographic features of the anatomy of the breasts were compared with diseases of mammary duct and analyzed.【Results】The structures of mammary ducts were clearly illustrated.The sac-like appearance of lactiferous sinuses was not observed.The mean number of collecting ducts at the base of the nipple was(8.6±2.3) and(9.1±2.6) for the left breast and right breast,respectively,and was not significantly different(P0.05).The mean diameter of the main ducts at the base of the nipple was(2.1±0.6) mm and(2.2±0.7) mm for the left and right breast,respectively,and was not significantly different(P0.05).There was no significant correlation between the diameter,the number and the size of the areola of breast.There were 26 branches of multiple fruticoses form(24.3%),61 branches of less fruti-coses form(57.0%),20 branches of single fruticoses form(18.7%) in non lactating breasts.Eight cases of thickening mamma,9 cases of mottling mamma,50 cases of lobulated mamma and 17 cases of regressive mamma were shown.The biopsy revealed 39 branches of papilloma(36.4%),54 branches of mammary duct ectasia(50.5%),14 branches of rare pathologic types(13.1%).【Conclusions】The anatomy of left and right mammary ducts is identical.There are no association among the number and diameter of the mammary duct,size of the nipples,and the distribution of the areola of the breast.Less fruticoses form mainly distributes in the lobulated mamma.Single fruticoses form mainly distributes in regressive mamma,and is commonly seen as papilloma.Multiple fruticoses form mainly is shown in thickening mamma,and is often seen as mammary duct ectasia.The ultrasound and X-ray anatomic features of mammary ducts are valuable for the diagnosis and treatment of the mammary duct diseases.