Endocrine Abstracts

Background: This study was conducted to determine whether prolactin (PRL) influences radiological findings of benign breast lesions.

Patients and methods: We observed 50 patients with nipple discharge: 23 patients with normal serum prolactin levels (group 1; n=23) and 27 patients with hyperprolactinemia (group 2a; n=27). Patients observed during this study underwent breast ultrasonography (US) and mammography. Patients with hyperprolactinemia underwent US follow-up examination in period from 6 until 12 months, after serum prolactin levels were normalized (group 2b). We compared radiological findings in patients with normal serum prolactin levels to patients with hyperprolactinemia (before and after hyperprolactinemia treatment).

Results: The most frequent radiological findings in I group patients were dilatated lactiform ductuli and cystic lesions with statistical significances P<0.001 and P<0.01 in comparison to other radiological findings. In II group patients significantly less presence of dilatated lactiform ductuli was observed (P<0.05) and proportional lower frequency of solid lumps compared to I group. Our results showed significantly lower incidence of dilatated lactiform ductuli, after hyperprolactinemia treatment (P<0.001). After serum PRL level normalization less presence of solid lumps and enlarged axillary’s lymph nodes is also observed in comparison to I group. Cystic lesions were significantly decreased (P<0.05) and pseudocystic lesions were completely withdrawn in patients with normalized serum prolactin levels.

Conclusion: Radiological presentation of benign breast diseases is under prolactin influence. Hyperprolactinemia treatment results in withdrawal of mammary duct ectasia, pseudocystic formations, cystic lesions and solid lumps. Breast ultrasonography and mammography should be considered as routine diagnostic procedures in patients with hyperprolactinemia.