Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab.  2014 Sep;19(3):159-163. 10.6065/apem.2014.19.3.159.

Prepubertal unilateral gynecomastia in the absence of endocrine abnormalities

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea. mjkang@hallym.or.kr
  • 2Department of Pediatrics, Hallym University Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Department Diagnostic Radiology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.

Abstract

Gynecomastia is defined as the excessive development of breast tissue in males, which can occur as unilateral or bilateral. Although the overall prevalence of gynecomastia is 40%-65%, the prepubertal unilateral gynecomastia in the absence of endocrine abnormalities is unusual, with only a few case reports in literature. Idiopathic gynecomastia in prepuberty is benign but a diagnosis of exclusion. We here report two cases of healthy prepubertal boys aged 8.8 and 9.6 years old, respectively, presented with painful palpable mass in their unilateral breast. Breast tissue with glandular proliferation was confirmed on ultrasonography. Serum levels of estradiol, testosterone, and other laboratory findings were within normal range. They seem to have the prepubertal idiopathic gynecomastia but further follow-up to see their progression is needed.

Keyword

Gynecomastia; Child; Prepuberty

MeSH Terms

Breast
Child
Diagnosis
Estradiol
Gynecomastia*
Humans
Male
Prevalence
Reference Values
Testosterone
Ultrasonography
Estradiol
Testosterone

Figure

  • Fig. 1 The ultrasound images of case 1 showed a hypoechoic and solid lesion (arrows) without signs of malignancy in the retroareolar area of the right breast (A) and normal in the left breast (B).

  • Fig. 2 The ultrasound images of case 2 showed a hypoechoic and solid lesion (arrows) with irregular margins in the retroareolar area of the left breast (A) and normal in the right breast (B).


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