Gynecomastia

IMAGING FINDINGS:​

​Asymmetric increased density in the subareolar right breast of a male.

WHY IT MATTERS:

1. Gynecomastia is the development of normal breast tissue within a male. It may be unilateral or bilateral. It often presents clinically as a palpable, painful mass behind the nipple.
   
2. Three (3) main patterns of gynecomastia on mammography      
   

                      a.  Florid – large, irregularly marginated subareolar mass
                      b.  Dendritic – smaller spiculated subareolar density
                      c.  Diffuse – mimics female heterogeneous breast density
    3.  The most common causes of gynecomastia include:                     
​                     a.  Medication side effects (spironolactone, prostate meds, many others)
                     b.  Drugs (marijuana or steroids)
                     c.  Puberty or with advancing age
                     d.  Chronic liver or kidney disease
                     e.  Idiopathic

FURTHER READING:
Male Breast Disease: Pictorial Review with Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation (RadioGraphics, 2013)