ADIPOSE TISSUE MEASUREMENT IN GYNECOMASTIA WITH COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ratio of gynecomastic adipose tissue (GAT) to total gynecomastic tissue (TGT) with computerized tomography (CT) and determine its benefits for selection of surgical technique in gynecomastia. Material and Methods: Prospectively; 20 young patients with gynecomastia who were treated between 2006 and 2009 years were included in the study. Patients’ mean age was 22 years (19-28). Nine patients were treated with subcutaneous mastectomy (13 breasts) and 7 patients (13 breasts) were treated with suction assisted lipectomy (SAL). Four patients (7 breasts) were operated with subcutaneous mastectomy and SAL. An experienced radiologist used standard software to determine the ratio of gynecomastic adipose tissue (GAT) to total gynecomastic tissue (TGT) in all patients. Results: The mean GAT/TGT ratio was 0.7 (0.6-0.9) in patients treated with SAL and 0.2 (0.1-0.3) treated with subcutaneous mastectomy. The mean GAT/TGT ratio in patients treated with SAL combined with subcutaneous mastectomy was 0.4 (0.3-0.5). Thedifference between all surgical protocols was statistically significant (p<0.05).Conclusions: We suggest that CT analysis is a useful tool for selection of gynecomastia surgery protocol. If the patient’s GAT/TGT ratio is larger than 0.6; SAL should be preferred as the method for gynecomastia treatment.