ABSTRACT
This paper presents five cases of duct ectasia complicated by fistula formation, and reports that inflammation was a prominent feature in these cases. It describes the classic position of the mammary duct fistula opening at the areolar edge, and reports that a communication can be demonstrated between that opening and the lactiferous ducts using a probe and thus confirming the presence of a fistula. The authors also note that the patients are all relatively young for breast disease, which is a finding noted for inflammatory-type duct ectasia. A proposed pathogenesis is discussed that proposes that inflammation precedes the establishment of the fistula opening. The recommended treatment was excision of the fistula tract.
