Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2026
Clinical Imaging of Microwave Mammography
Published on: November 14, 2025
Sonography of pediatric male breast masses: gynecomastia and beyond
Steven T Welch1, Diane S Babcock, Edgar T Ballard
1Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
Insights
Palpable breast masses in male children are uncommon. Ultrasound is key for diagnosis, with most cases showing gynecomastia in adolescent boys.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Breast Imaging
- Medical Ultrasound
Background:
- Palpable breast masses are rare in pediatric males.
- Existing literature often focuses on female pediatric patients or adult males.
- Ultrasound is crucial for evaluating breast abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and illustrate sonographic findings of breast masses in pediatric males.
- To identify common and rare causes of breast masses in this population.
- To aid in the diagnosis and management of male pediatric breast conditions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of ultrasound database from 1994-2000.
- Inclusion of male pediatric patients presenting with breast masses.
- Correlation of imaging findings with pathology and clinical data.
Main Results:
- Twenty-five pediatric males underwent breast ultrasound.
- Gynecomastia was the most common finding (72%).
- Other diagnoses included galactocele, hematoma, ductal ectasia, and hemangioma.
Conclusions:
- Sonography is the primary imaging modality for pediatric male breast masses.
- Gynecomastia is the predominant diagnosis in adolescent males.
- Rare conditions like galactocele and hemangioma should be considered; malignant lesions are infrequent.
Background:
Palpable breast masses are rare in the pediatric male population. Prior reports have described the ultrasound findings of the normal pediatric breast, masses seen primarily in female pediatric patients, and masses seen in adult males.
Objective:
To describe and illustrate the sonographic findings in gynecomastia and other causes of breast masses in a group of pediatric males.
Materials And Methods:
We reviewed the ultrasound database of a large tertiary-care children's hospital for male pediatric patients presenting with breast masses from 1994 to 2000. The findings were correlated with additional imaging and pathology results.
Results:
Twenty-five pediatric patients ranging in age from 1 month to 18 years were referred for breast ultrasound. Eighteen patients (72%) had gynecomastia. Two patients each (8%) had galactocele(s) or had postoperative hematoma. One patient had ductal ectasia, which resolved. One patient had periductal hemangioma. One patient with neurofibromatosis and a solid mass was lost to follow-up.
Conclusion:
Palpable breast masses are rare in the male pediatric patient and sonography is the primary imaging modality. The overwhelming majority of these cases are adolescent boys presenting with gynecomastia. Other diagnoses such as galactocele(s), hemangiomas, and ductal ectasia should be considered when young male patients present with a palpable mass. Malignant breast lesions are rare and are likely to be metastatic or primary tumors of non-breast tissue origin.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Ultrasonography
During an ultrasonography procedure, a handheld device called a...
01:20Ultrasound I: Abdominal Ultrasonography
Abdominal ultrasonography, commonly known as abdominal ultrasound, is a vital, non-invasive medical imaging technique widely used in healthcare.
Procedure:
This diagnostic tool allows the clinician to visually inspect internal structures within the abdomen, including vital organs such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen.
The abdominal ultrasound process begins with applying a special gel to the patient's skin over the abdomen. This gel enhances the...
01:24Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography