Breast Shape Change Associated with Aging: A Study Using Prone Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Gerontology

Background:

• Objective body shape assessments utilize multidetector row computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• These imaging techniques are valuable for studying age-related body shape alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age-related changes in breast shape using MRI data.
• To identify specific breast morphology variables that correlate with aging.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of bilateral prone breast MRI data from 2013.
• Segmentation of patients into younger (≤54 years) and older (≥55 years) groups.
• Statistical comparison using paired t tests and Pearson correlation coefficients.

Main Results:

• Significant correlation found between age and craniocaudal nipple deviation (R = -0.38, P < 0.001).
• Significant correlation observed between age and breast volume (R = 0.26, P < 0.05).
• Breast volume and craniocaudal nipple deviation were significantly correlated (R = -0.48, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Age-related breast changes include caudal nipple deviation and increased breast volume.
• These two age-related variables are significantly correlated with each other.