Mammary Duct Ectasia

Your healthcare provider diagnose mammary duct ectasia in a few ways:

Breast exam: Your provider uses their fingers to examine your breast tissue while you lie down with one arm over your head. They feel for lumps and watch for discharge.
Ultrasound: Ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of interior body structures. This helps your provider better see the inside of your breasts.
Mammogram: Mammography machines use X-rays to view any changes in your breast and get a better look at your milk ducts.
Magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI): MRIs use radio waves and powerful magnets to create detailed images of the inside of your breasts.
Biopsy: Your healthcare provider removes a small sample of breast tissue from the affected breast and looks at the tissue under a microscope. If you have a lump in your breast, your provider biopsies the lump to check for cancer.

Can duct ectasia be seen on mammogram?

Yes, a mammogram (breast X-ray) is one way healthcare providers test for mammary duct ectasia.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

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Diagnosis & treatment

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