Breast ductoscopy: technical development from a diagnostic to an interventional procedure and its future perspective.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Endoscopy of the female breast, known as ductoscopy, is increasingly gaining acceptance as a diagnostic procedure worldwide. Recent technical development of ductoscopes and micro-instruments is shifting research interest from diagnostic to interventional ductoscopy. We describe novel technical aspects and the resulting possible future perspective of ductoscopy.

METHODS:

This study comprised the analysis and review of new technical developments from research at the Technical University Munich, Germany, and others, as well as a review of the MEDLINE and COCHRANE databases for the keyword ductoscopy.

RESULTS:

Diagnostic ductoscopy is performed by many breast physicians worldwide. Interventional ductoscopy, however, depends on an additional working channel and a variety of micro-instruments of 0.4-0.8 mm for procedures inside the breast duct. They are at present not available in the U.S. but are used in Germany and several other countries. Autofluorescence ductoscopy is a new imaging technique used on an experimental base for clinical evaluation to identify intraductal lesions. Laser ductoscopy for removal of intraductal papillomas and 3-dimensional intraductal tracking systems are future projects.

CONCLUSION:

Technical innovation and further miniaturization of instruments is supporting a change from diagnostic to interventional ductoscopy. A therapeutic intraductal approach as well as autofluorescence endoscopy could potentially eliminate unnecessary biopsies and offer better identification of intraductal lesions.

• Authors: Volker R Jacobs, Stefan Paepke, Ralf Ohlinger, Susanne Grunwald, Marion Kiechle-Bahat
• Journal: Onkologie (Onkologie) Vol. 30 Issue 11 Pg. 545-9 (Nov 2007) ISSN: 1423-0240 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 17992024 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Review)

Topics

• Biotechnology (instrumentation, methods, trends)
• Breast Neoplasms (pathology, surgery)
• Endoscopes (trends)
• Endoscopy (methods, trends)
• Female
• Forecasting
• Humans
• Mastectomy, Segmental (instrumentation, methods, trends)