How effective is breast ultrasound for duct ectasia?

Duct ectasia, also called mammary duct ectasia, occurs when a milk duct widens and its lining or contents change. It may be linked with nipple discharge, tenderness, or a lump beneath the nipple. Ultrasound can display the ducts, fluid or thickened material within them, and the tissue around them. This helps a clinician decide whether the appearance is reassuring or whether another test is needed. An ultrasound finding is interpreted with the side, colour and timing of discharge, examination findings, and any mammogram or sample that is advised.

Tell your clinician whether discharge is spontaneous or only appears with pressure, which breast is affected, and whether it is clear, coloured, or blood-stained. Do not repeatedly squeeze the nipple to check it, as this can encourage further discharge. Depending on the scan and symptoms, management may be observation, treatment for inflammation or infection, sampling, or specialist review. Ask how the ducts will be followed if symptoms continue. Keep any planned appointment even if discharge becomes less noticeable.

Arrange prompt assessment for discharge that occurs without squeezing, comes from one breast, is blood-stained, or occurs with a new lump, nipple inversion, skin dimpling, redness, or persistent pain. These signs need evaluation and do not by themselves establish a cancer diagnosis. Seek urgent care for a hot, swollen breast with fever or feeling very unwell. After any procedure, report increasing redness, drainage, swelling, bleeding, or worsening pain rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

Which ducts look widened, and does the scan show fluid or another finding? Do my discharge pattern and examination change the next step? Is monitoring enough, or do I need sampling or another imaging test?