DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SYMPTOMATIC BREAST MASSES IN THE PEDIATRICPOPULATION

Between 1980 and 1993, 74 children and adolescents were referred for s urgical evaluation of palpable breast masses. Thirty-two were managed nonoperatively for unilateral thelarche (26), fibroadenoma (3), gyneco mastia (2), or hemorrhagic cyst (1), The other 42 children had surgica l intervention for giant or painful fibroadenomas (19), breast abscess es (5), painful gynecomastia (6), metastatic disease (4), or other con ditions (8). No instances of primary breast malignancy were noted. Phy sical examination and minimal (selective) diagnostic testing can conse rve health care dollars in cases of pediatric patients with breast mas ses. Copyright (C) 1995 by W.B. Saunders Company