A new treatment for mammillary fistulas using ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle electrolysis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle electrolysis (PNE) in mammillary fistulas (MFs). A prospective study was performed in 18 patients with MF who were treated with the PNE technique. The technique was repeated in the case of no response or recurrence. The results obtained show that MFs revealing an elongated appearance with the ultrasound (US) are generally resolved with two sessions of PNE, whereas ovoid MFs require several sessions of PNE for complete resolution and they tend to recur. Success of the treatment with PNE was observed in 88.8% of the patients (16/18), and failure, after five or six sessions in two cases (11.2%), which were referred for surgery. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge this is the first study to reveal that the PNE technique is safe, effective, quick, and well-tolerated by patients.