Gynecomastia: a common indication for mammography in men of all age

Gynecomastia: a common indication for mammography in men of all age

Authors

  • Raffaella Capasso Department of Internal and Experimental Medicine, Magrassi-Lanzara, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
  • A. Sica Department of Internal and Experimental Medicine, Magrassi-Lanzara, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
  • M. D'Amora Department of Internal and Experimental Medicine, Magrassi-Lanzara, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
  • Maurizio Mostardi ASL7 Siena, Italy
  • Ilenia Martella Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Radiological Sciences, University of Parma, Parma Hospital, Parma, Italy
  • Marilina Totaro University of Ferrara - Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine Dept. - Diagnostic Imaging Section, Ferrara, Italy
  • Giovanni Della Casa Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Radiological Sciences, University of Parma, Parma Hospital, Parma, Italy
  • Manuela Vallara Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Radiological Sciences, University of Parma, Parma Hospital, Parma, Italy
  • Antonella Pesce Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Radiological Sciences, University of Parma, Parma Hospital, Parma, Italy
  • G. Gatta Department of Internal and Experimental Medicine, Magrassi-Lanzara, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
  • S. Cappabianca Department of Internal and Experimental Medicine, Magrassi-Lanzara, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy

Keywords:

male mammography, male breast, gynecomastia, pseudogynecomastia

Abstract

Background and aim: Gynecomastia (GM) is the most frequent cause of male breast-related signs and symptoms and represents also the most common indication for mammography (MX) in men. In this article, our 7-year long experience with MX in men suffering from GM is reviewed, and the mammographic features of GM are presented. Methods: MXs performed in male patients at our institution from January 2009 to January 2016 were retrospectively reviewed and patients with mammographic features of GM were selected. Informed consent was waived by the local institutional review board given the retrospective nature of the study. Mammograms were performed in both cranio-caudal (CC) and medio-lateral-oblique (MLO) views according to diagnostic needs. Clinical and pathologic data were obtained by review of patient charts. Results: 37 males (aged between 13-79 years, mean 59 years) referred for MX at our institution because of palpable lump (31/37; 83.8%), breast enlargement (33/37; 89.2%), tenderness or pain (25/37; 67.6%). Of the 37 patients evaluated, 32 (86.5%) had true GM while 5 (13.5%) had pseudoGM. Conclusions: The evaluation of GM can be complex but a stepwise approach that starts with careful history taking and physical examination may obviate the need for extensive work-up. In this context, MX has been shown to be an accurate diagnostic tool for detecting GM and should be the first imaging examination to be performed in all clinically suspicious lesions referred for imaging. 

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Published

28-07-2016

How to Cite

1.
Gynecomastia: a common indication for mammography in men of all age. Acta Biomed [Internet]. 2016 Jul. 28 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];87(3 - S):63-8. Available from: https://www.mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/actabiomedica/article/view/5645