Gynecomastia : Diagnostic value of high-frequencies ultrasound (10-13 MHz)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential role of ultrasound (US) at 10-13 MHz in gynecomastia for differentiating florid from fibrous gynecomastia. Fifty-two male patients with mammary enlargement underwent 10- to 13-MHz and 7.5-MHz US examinations. Thirty patients were also examined with mammography. When true gynecomastia was diagnosed, follow-up 10- to 13-MHz US examinations were repeated every 2 months over a 12-month period. Ultrasound at 10-13 MHz demonstrated the following patterns : retroareolar triangular hypoechoic area (florid gynecomastia), retroareolar triangular hyperechoic area and proximal ectasic ducts (fibrous gynecomastia), and striped hypoechogenicity without any geometric shape (pseudogynecomastia). Such patterns were not visible at 7.5 MHz US. As to mammography, the only information it provided was the differentiation between gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia. Our data suggest that 10- to 13-MHz US allows one to achieve the correct diagnosis of gynecomastia and to clearly differentiate florid from fibrous gynecomastia.