Work

Bloody nipple discharge in young children: mammary duct ectasia as a benign, self-limiting condition

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Bloody nipple discharge in children is rare and often alarms families because of its malignant associations in adults. We describe two prepubertal boys (3 and 5 years) with unilateral, spontaneous, painless bloody nipple discharge without trauma, infection, systemic symptoms, or exogenous hormone exposure. Examinations showed only mild unilateral breast change, with no masses, skin or nipple abnormalities, or lymphadenopathy. Breast ultrasonography was the primary investigation: one child had retroareolar ductal dilatation with cystic change consistent with mammary duct ectasia; the other had normal breast architecture. When obtained, laboratory, microbiologic, and cytologic studies were unremarkable. Both patients were managed conservatively with caregiver counseling and structured clinical/sonographic follow-up. Discharge resolved spontaneously within 14 and 8 months, respectively, with complete clinical and imaging resolution and no recurrence. These cases support ultrasound-based assessment and expectant management when no concerning features are present.

Source: Journal of Surgical Case Reports

DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjag028

Authors: Mohammed Al Blooshi, Dalia D Abdulrahman, Wisam Salih Saad, Usman Javaid, Vipul Gupta

Institution: Al Jalila Foundation

Language: English

Topic: Breast Lesions and Carcinomas

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,000