LACTIFEROUS DUCT MICROENDOSCOPY

It is possible to minimise the invasiveness of diagnosis in cases of p athological nipple secretion by examining the lactiferous duct using m icrofibre optics. In this study, the visualisation of the internal lac tiferous duct was tested on an animal model and in humans. Flexible fi bre-endoscopes, with diameters of 0.50 and 0.75 mm (3000 and 6000 pixe l), and a semi-rigid fibre-endoscope with a diameter of 0.85 mm (6000 pixel) were tested in conjunction with Teflon catheters and rigid stee l microtrocars of 0.8, 1.1 and 1.2 mm outer diameter. The lactiferous duct system could be visualised reproducibly from the orificium of the ductus mamillaris over all its ramifications to its endings in comple te expansion.