Diagnostic accuracy of abnormal galactographic and sonographic findings in the diagnosis of intraductal pathology in patients with abnormal nipple discharge.

The purpose of the study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the combination of galactography and ultrasound in patients with pathologic nipple discharge. Fifty-six patients with pathologic nipple discharge were included in the study. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for each method and the combination of both were calculated. Both methods together had a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 91%, 17%, 61%, and 57%. The combined sensitivity of galactography and ultrasound for intraductal pathologies is higher than either modality alone, with a low specificity. No specific signs exist to predict benign or malignant lesions.