Bilateral breast masses and bloody nipple discharge in a 4-year-old boy

Ultrasound Findings of Mammary Duct Ectasia Causing Bloody Nipple Discharge in Infancy and Childhood

Bloody nipple discharge in infancy and childhood is extremely rare, and mammary duct ectasia is the most common etiology. Ultrasound (US) findings of mammary duct ectasia include dilated ducts and tubular anechoic lesions that may contain echogenic debris in the subareolar region. However, mammary duct ectasia may show variable US findings, which are not well described in the literature. We report 3 cases of mammary duct ectasia in infancy and childhood with variable imaging findings, including complex cystic and solid lesions. Detailed initial clinical and US findings and serial follow-up US images are described.

Bloody nipple discharge as a benign, self-limiting disorder in young children: A systematic review including two related case reports

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Bloody nipple discharge (BND) is rare, distressing for parents, and presents a challenge for physicians.

METHODS

We used PubMed to search for cases of BND that were diagnosed before adolescence and added data from two of our cases.

RESULTS

The analyzed cohort comprised 46 patients (28 boys and 18 girls; mean [SD] age, 12.5±13.3months; range, 20days to 4years). The mean time for spontaneous resolution was 2.8±2.4months (range, 1week to 8months) after onset of BND without any intervention. The diagnosis was mammary ductal ectasia (MDE) in 15 patients, gynecomastia with MDE in two patients, hemorrhagic cysts in two patients, and gynecomastia alone in one patient. The majority (89.3%) of patients <1year old were managed conservatively, but half of them aged >1year (50.0%) underwent surgery. Surgery was performed more often in patients in whom a mass had been identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Age and findings at physical examination affect selection of treatment, but not sex. We found no reported cases of malignancy. Symptoms in children who are managed conservatively resolve within 10months. Children with BND should be conservatively managed to avoid the risk of developing breast deformities before adolescence.

Detection of duct ectasia of mammary gland by ultrasonography in a neonate with bloody nipple discharge

Bloody nipple discharge, a rare finding in infants, is associated most often with benign mammary duct ectasia and commonly resolves spontaneously. Ultrasonography is a useful diagnostic imaging method to detect the cause of discharge. The rarity of this symptom in infants and its association with breast carcinoma in adults can lead to unnecessary investigation and treatment. Here, we describe ultrasonographic and color Doppler ultrasonographic findings of a 20-day-old boy with bilateral bloody nipple discharge that resolved spontaneously without treatment after 15 days. We conclude that bloody nipple discharge is usually a benign and self-limited process in infancy, and that it is advisable to avoid unnecessary invasive investigations initially.

Uncommon benign breast abnormalities in adolescents

The authors discuss benign breast abnormalities in the adolescent breast other than fibroadenoma. Although fibroadenoma is the most common benign abnormality in the adolescent breast, other diagnoses are possible. The majority of adolescents who present with a palpable concern or lump have no discrete abnormality on ultrasound and are diagnosed with clinical fibrocystic change and followed up to ensure clinical stability. Intraductal papilloma and duct ectasia are two benign abnormalities associated with bloody nipple discharge, occurring more rarely in adolescents compared with adult women. Breast infections can occur in adolescents, including both mastitis and/or abscess, and are treated similarly to adults, with drainage and antibiotic coverage for Staphylococcus. When infections are due to nipple piercing, other organisms should be suspected. All surgical procedures in the developing breast should be performed cautiously, as trauma to the undeveloped breast can result in failure of breast development or asymmetry, and surgical disruption of subareolar ducts can impair or preclude future lactation.

Mammary duct ectasia with bloody nipple discharge in a child

Mammary duct ectasia is a rare disease in children and often presents as a cystic mass with bloody nipple discharge. The pathophysiology of mammary duct ectasia is unclear, and the differential diagnosis of other cystic masses with hemorrhage, such as complicated lymphangioma, is necessary. Here, we report a 14-month-old boy who exhibited unilateral mammary duct ectasia with bloody nipple discharge that was treated with surgical excision. Because some authors have reported that mammary duct ectasia can be often be resolved without surgery, conservative therapy should be considered first when a child presents with a cystic mass with bloody nipple discharge. However, the optimal duration of follow-up and timing of surgical excision have not yet been established.

Bloody nipple discharge in infancy: a case report and recommendations for management

We report a 5-month-old male infant with benign unilateral bloody nipple discharge, and we present a brief review of 20 previously described cases of bloody nipple discharge in infancy. On the basis of our case and previous reports, we offer recommendations for the management of the bloody nipple discharge in the first year of life: (1) diagnosis should be based on noninvasive diagnostic procedures, in the absence of dubious ultrasound or cytological diagnostic findings; (2) the condition resolves spontaneously, and surgical intervention should be avoided; (3) manipulation of the nipple can prolong the bleeding; (4) antibiotics should be given only in the presence of clear clinical and cytological signs of infection; and (5) parent reassurance is an important part of infantile bloody nipple discharge management.

Bloody nipple discharge in a 7-month-old boy

Isolated bloody nipple discharge is rare in infancy and is usually idiopathic. Discharge commonly resolves spontaneously, and ultrasonography is a useful diagnostic technique to detect the cause of discharge. The authors report a 7-month-old boy who presented with unilateral spontaneous bloody nipple discharge for 1 month without signs of infection or mass.

Unexpected infant death due to hypoplastic left heart syndrome: a case report

A female infant was found unresponsive at home. The mother alleged that she delivered the baby at home 13 days prior to the death. The mother did not have any prenatal examinations during the pregnancy and the infant was not examined by a doctor until death. The autopsy revealed that the cause of death was hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and the infant's chest showed bilateral breast enlargement. Forensic pathologists may encounter very rare pathological findings with unexpected infant deaths. Some, like HLHS, are serious congenital heart defects related to the cause of death, and others are unique phenomena unrelated to the cause of death such as breast swelling and discharge called "witch's milk." In this case, we observed both findings.

Mammary duct ectasia in children: report of a short series and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Mammary duct ectasia is uncommon in children, and is usually considered to be an acquired disease in adults. However the occurrence in infants and children suggest it may be developmental.

AIMS

To report a case series of mammary duct ectasia, and review the published literature to ascertain the common findings and histological findings in children.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series report and review of the literature.

RESULTS

We report three cases of mammary duct ectasia, an unusual disease in children. The most common presenting features are a bloody nipple discharge; there may also be a palpable mass or general breast enlargement. Two patients in this series presented with large masses simulating other conditions. Summary of all reported cases in children found that symptoms can arise from infancy, but is most common around the age of 3 years (range 2 months to 13 years), with a 5:2 male:female ratio. Histology centres on peri-ductal inflammation and dilation. Haemosiderin laden macrophages were seen commonly in this series; and may represent a histological marker in children. The disease is often self-limiting. Patients may require surgery for persistent nipple discharge or lump.

CONCLUSIONS

Duct ectasia should be entertained in small infants and children presenting with both small and large peri-areolar breast masses and/or bleeding. The occurrence of the disease in infants suggests that mammary duct ectasia may represent a developmental anomaly in the paediatric population.

Bloody nipple discharge in an infant

Although milky nipple discharge appears frequently in infants, bloody nipple discharge is a very rare finding. We experienced a 4-month-old, breast-fed infant who showed bilateral bloody nipple discharge with no signs of infection, engorgement, or hypertrophy. The infant's hormonal examination and coagulation tests were normal, and an ultrasound examination revealed mammary duct ectasia. The symptoms resolved spontaneously within 6 weeks without any specific treatment, except that we advised the mother to refrain from taking herbal medicine. Since no such case has been previously reported in Korea, we present this case with a brief review of the literature.

Mammary duct ectasia in infant breast with bloody nipple discharge: sonographic findings

Bloody nipple discharge is very rare in childhood. We report the sonographic findings of mammary duct ectasia and cystic changes under the nipple with abnormal content involving a 3-month-old boy with bloody nipple discharge.

Bloody nipple discharge in infants

Though milky nipple discharge is frequently seen in neonates, blood stained discharge from the nipple is an exceptionally rare phenomenon. We noted a case of a three-month-old baby girl who presented with bilateral blood stained nipple discharge without signs of inflammation; engorgement or hypertrophy and which subsided without any intervention. This case is reported along with literature review about managing this rare condition.

Bloody nipple discharge in an infant and a proposed diagnostic approach

Bloody nipple discharge is a rare finding in infants and is associated most often with benign mammary duct ectasia. The rarity of this symptom in infants and its association with breast carcinoma in adults can lead to unnecessary investigation and treatment. Here we describe a 4-month-old boy with bilateral bloody nipple discharge that resolved spontaneously without treatment by 6 months of age. Furthermore, we propose a strategic method for the evaluation of such infants.

Bloody nipple discharge in children: possible etiologies and selection of appropriate therapy

An understanding of underlying causes of bloody nipple discharge (BND) is necessary to be able to advise treatment guidelines of this rare symptom in the pediatric age group. Of 11 patients with 14 breasts that had BND, data regarding age, sex, side and duration of BND, physical examination findings, laboratory values, culture reports, ultrasonography (US) findings, treatment approach, histopathologic details, and outcomes were obtained, and also, literature was reviewed. The patients were between 3 months and 12 years of age. There were six males and five females. The BND was located in the right breast in six patients, in the left in two, and it was bilateral in three. On physical examinations, seven patients had palpable cystic nodules located at the areolar area and three had a diffuse breast enlargement without skin findings. Laboratory investigations showed normal hormone levels in all patients. At US examinations, seven breasts had cystic lesions, three had hypoechoic tissue in the subareolar region, and others had normal US findings. In a girl with positive culture for Staphylococcus aureus, BND resolved after oral antibiotics. Two cases resolved spontaneously, with 6 months and 4 months follow-up periods, respectively. Surgical intervention was performed for the remaining eight patients, and mean time to operation after onset of symptoms was 10 months (range = 1-34 months). Histopathologic findings showed that the underlying cause of BND was duct ectasia in five breasts, gynecomastia in three, and fibrocystic change in two. Their follow-up periods ranged between 3 months and 6 years, and no recurrences were observed. Classification of breasts with BND for selecting appropriate therapy on the basis of results of careful physical examination, with an US evaluation in selected cases, is effective, and prevents unnecessary investigations.

Sonography of pediatric male breast masses: gynecomastia and beyond

BACKGROUND

Palpable breast masses are rare in the pediatric male population. Prior reports have described the ultrasound findings of the normal pediatric breast, masses seen primarily in female pediatric patients, and masses seen in adult males.

OBJECTIVE

To describe and illustrate the sonographic findings in gynecomastia and other causes of breast masses in a group of pediatric males.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the ultrasound database of a large tertiary-care children's hospital for male pediatric patients presenting with breast masses from 1994 to 2000. The findings were correlated with additional imaging and pathology results.

RESULTS

Twenty-five pediatric patients ranging in age from 1 month to 18 years were referred for breast ultrasound. Eighteen patients (72%) had gynecomastia. Two patients each (8%) had galactocele(s) or had postoperative hematoma. One patient had ductal ectasia, which resolved. One patient had periductal hemangioma. One patient with neurofibromatosis and a solid mass was lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Palpable breast masses are rare in the male pediatric patient and sonography is the primary imaging modality. The overwhelming majority of these cases are adolescent boys presenting with gynecomastia. Other diagnoses such as galactocele(s), hemangiomas, and ductal ectasia should be considered when young male patients present with a palpable mass. Malignant breast lesions are rare and are likely to be metastatic or primary tumors of non-breast tissue origin.

Clinical management of nipple discharge in neonates and children

Bloody nipple discharge is a rare but distressing finding in neonates and infants. We report an 8-month-old boy who showed bilateral bloody nipple discharge for 5 months without signs of infection. Ultrasound examination revealed dilated mammary ducts. This benign phenomenon is most likely caused by mammary duct ectasia. On the background of the reviewed literature, intensive investigations should only be performed in neonates and infants if bloody nipple discharge is unilateral, continues, expands in size or shows signs of inflammation. We discuss the clinical management of nipple discharge during infancy and childhood.

Bilateral breast masses and bloody nipple discharge in a two year-old boy

Breast enlargement with bloody discharge is very rare in childhood. We report a two year-old boy with breast enlargement and bloody discharge. Because of persistent bloody discharge, subcutaneous mastectomy was performed. The specimen showed histologic changes identical to those seen in adult mammary duct ectasia. We suggested that the infant's own endocrine system is responsible for breast enlargement and mammary duct ectasia, possibly occurring as a result of a mechanism similar to that in adults.