The diagnostic and therapeutic value of breast cyst puncture and pneumocystography.

Out of 53,459 women undergoing mammography, 434 pneumocystographic examinations were performed in 338 patients. Thirteen benign and 13 malignant intracystic tumors were detected, for a frequency of 6.0%. Intracystic cancers comprised 1.3% of all malignant tumors. Neither visual nor cytological examination of cyst fluid was sufficient to detect or rule out cancer, and the authors feel that pneumocystography is the only reliable method. Excision is the preferred therapy, and histological examination is the definitive method of differentiating benign from malignant tumors. In more than 97% of cases, pneumocystography of simple cysts is therapeutic. Without evidence of intracystic tumor on pneumocystography, cyst removal is unnecessary. The patient can be followed up with mammography, and any recurrent or new cysts can be diagnosed and treated by pneumocystography alone.