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Review of Rusty Pipe Syndrome with a Case Report

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Abstract

Rusty pipe syndrome is a benign clinical condition that causes a bloody nipple discharge that usually resolves spontaneously within a week. The first-line methods of treatment for rusty pipe syndrome are avoiding unnecessary research techniques and reducing the mother’s anxiety. However, in prolonged cases of rusty pipe syndrome, additional examinations should be performed to assess whether there is an underlying pathological disease, such as breast cancer or ductal papilloma. This case report presents a woman with rusty pipe syndrome and includes a literature review of databases for the period January 2001 through January 2021. A 27-year-old multiparous (gravida:3, para:3) mother gave birth at 37 weeks of gestation to a male infant. At the first breastfeeding, brownish, bloody milk was observed from both breasts. The mother had no history of surgery or trauma and had similar complaints after her previous two births. Pathological examination of a nipple blood sample and breast ultrasonography found no pathology. The bloody nipple discharge stopped spontaneously within 5 days. The mother was discharged on the seventh day after admission without complications.

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Contributions

TK contributed to designing the study and preparation of the manuscript. He also contributed to data collection and conduction of the study. MK contributed to data analysis, writing, and design of this study.

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Correspondence to Tolga Kalayci.

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Not required. Written consent was approved from the patient.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Kalayci, T., Kartal, M. Review of Rusty Pipe Syndrome with a Case Report. Indian J Surg 84 (Suppl 3), 832–835 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-021-03140-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-021-03140-2

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