Which feature best distinguishes periductal mastitis from mammary duct ectasia?
- A Thick greenish nipple discharge
- B Occurrence in young cigarette-smoking women ✓
- C Dilatation of subareolar ducts with periductal fibrosis
- D Association with slit-like nipple retraction
Correct answer: B. Occurrence in young cigarette-smoking women
Explanation
Periductal mastitis occurs in young women and is strongly linked to cigarette smoking, thought to reflect toxic injury to subareolar ducts; it presents with periareolar inflammation, abscess and mamillary fistula. Duct ectasia affects older women and features dilated ducts filled with inspissated secretion, giving thick creamy or green discharge and slit-like retraction. Green discharge, duct dilatation and nipple retraction are shared or ectasia-typical findings, so smoking in the young patient is the discriminating feature.
Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.