Magnetic resonance images and linear measurements in the surgical treatment of breast asymmetry.
BACKGROUND
Objective evaluation of breast asymmetry surgical treatment should consider not only breast shape but also breast volume.


METHODS
For this study, 22 patients with primary breast asymmetry were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as linear measurements preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. The mean difference between the pre- and postoperative linear measurements was graduated from excellent to poor. Breast volume was estimated by MRI from axial reconstruction for three-dimensional application using the Cavalieri formula and specific software.


RESULTS
A strong correlation (r = 0.817) was found between the pre- and postoperative breast volumes, as increased or decreased by the surgical procedure. Patients with less postoperative volume differences tended to have the best ratings with linear measurements. When the same surgical procedure was performed bilaterally or when only one breast was treated by surgery, greater volume symmetry was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Linear measurements and MRI are objective methods for evaluating postoperative symmetry, and when used in association, can help plastic surgeons to achieve favorable results in mammary asymmetry treatment.
Pozzobon
Adriana V
AV
Department of Plastic Surgery, Federal University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. adriana_pozzobon@uol.com.br
Sabino Neto
Miguel
M
Veiga
Daniela F
DF
Abla
Luís Eduardo F
LE
Pereira
Juliana B
JB
Biasi
Thiago L
TL
Ferreira
Lydia M
LM
Yamashita
Ligia A
LA
Kawano
Fernando
F
Nakano
Edson M
EM
Shigueoka
David C
DC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D001940:Breast / Q000601:surgery; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D016462:Mammaplasty; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D055815:Young Adult