Molecular breast imaging for women presenting with a history of non-reproducible bloody nipple discharge and negative findings on routine imaging studies: A pilot study

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess the role of molecular breast imaging (MBI) for women with a history of non-reproducible bloody nipple discharge (BND) and negative findings on clinical breast examination, mammography, and ultrasonography. Methods and Results: MBI was performed on 14 women meeting these criteria and interpreted as negative (n=7), benign (n=6), and probably benign (n=1). Two patients with a negative result underwent duct exploration, revealing papilloma and radial scar. Median follow-up was 20 months (range, 0-35 months). One patient had another episode of BND at 37 months; excisional biopsy result was benign. Invasive carcinoma and phyllodes tumor diagnosed in two patients at 17 and 25 months were assumed to be unrelated to the reported BND episode. Discussion: The concordance between MBI, mammography, and ultrasonography regarding the absence of suspicious findings in women presenting with a history of non-reproducible BND is reassuring. Larger studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.