Cutaneous application of local anaesthetic--a useful help in galactography.

Galactography is an important step in the diagnostic workup of abnormal nipple discharge. At times it is impossible to insert the cannula in the secreting duct and galactography cannot be performed. In such cases we tried applying local anaesthetic spray (LA) cutaneously to the nipple followed by a further insertion attempt. LA has enabled us to insert the galactography cannula in all patients so far. We concluded that after previous unsuccessful attempts, the presented technique may relax the duct orifice and therefore permit insertion of the galactography cannula into the secreting duct.