Chapter 20: Diagnostic investigations
Skip chapter table of contents and go to main content
Nipple discharge smear
A nipple discharge smear is undertaken to exclude underlying breast pathology. Nipple discharge can be physiological. Normal cytology results should show a cellular specimen. The presence of ductal epithelial cells is cause for further investigation.
Indications
A cytological smear should be sent if one or more of the following criteria are met:
- nipple discharge is:
- spontaneous
- bloodstained
- unilateral and/or uniductal.
- no target lesion palpable or visible on imaging.
Procedure guideline 20.12
Nipple discharge smear
Post‐procedural considerations
Immediate care
Observation of possible complications such as bleeding or infection should be monitored (Rocha et al. [139]).
Education of the patient and relevant others
The patient should be given adequate post‐procedural instructions, including care of the biopsy site over the initial 4–48 hours. A contact number should also be provided should any complications arise.
