Category
Special Imaging
Synonyms/Aliases
GALACTOGRAPHY, DUCTOGALACTOGRAPHY
Abbreviations
-N/A
Report
1 hour (after completion of the test)
Setup
All working days
Scan
20 MINUTES
Test in Brief
: A ductogram is an X-ray picture of the breast using a dye (contrast) to evaluate a nipple duct. Doctors use a ductogram to look for early signs of breast cancer
Exam Requirements
Patient to come/call for booking. Patient stands still till the end of procedure/exam on the x-ray vertical bucky. Patient should rest in between the image processing.
Instructions
Capture accurate patient information when reading request form to identify indications and contra-indications before the procedure/exam.
Method
You will stand in front of a special X-ray machine. A technologist will place the cannulated breast on a clear plastic plate. Another plate will firmly press your breast from above. The plates will flatten the breast, holding it still while the X-ray is being taken. You will feel some pressure. The steps are repeated to make a side view of the breast. The other breast will be X-rayed in the same way. You will then wait while the technologist checks the four X-rays to make sure the pictures do not need to be re-done. Keep in mind that the technologist cannot tell you the results of your mammogram.. Images of good radiographic quality are printed & given to the radiologist for reporting. Used to diagnose abnormalities of the breast (one) e.g. tumours.
Usefulness /Advantages
Galactography can find small cancerous and non-cancerous masses that cannot be identified in any other way so that they may be removed at an early stage.
A galactogram identifies the location of the tumors in the breast for the surgeon.
No radiation stays in your body after an x-ray exam.
X-rays usually have no side effects in the typical diagnostic range for this exam.
