Definitions of Abnormal Breast Size and Asymmetry: A Cohort Study of 400 Women

Abstract

Background: Macromastia, micromastia and breast asymmetry have an impact on health and quality of life. However, there is scarce information addressing breast size and asymmetry frequency distribution in reference populations.

Objective: The current study aims to identify factors that influence breast size and symmetry and classifies abnormal breast sizes and breast asymmetries in an adult German population.

Methods: Breast base dimensions, breast volume, symmetry, and other breast anthropometric parameters of 400 German female patients were determined in a retrospective review of the MRI archives at our institution. Professional medical MRI-segmentation software was used for volume measurement.

Results: A total of 400 Patients were retrospectively enrolled. The patients had a mean age of 50 ± 12 years (min: 24; max: 82), mean BMI of 25.0 ± 5.0 (min: 14.7, max: 45.6), and a mean total breast volume of 976 ml (right: 973 ml, min: 64, max: 4777; left: 979 ml, min: 55, max: 4670). The strongest correlation of breast volume was observed with BMI (r = 0.834, p < 0.001), followed by breast base width (r = 0.799, p < 0.001). Smaller breasts have higher breast volume asymmetry ratios (r = - 0.124, p < 0.014). For a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m², micromastia is defined by breast volumes below 250 ml (5th percentile) and macromastia by volumes above 1250 ml (95th percentile). Abnormal breast volume asymmetry (< 5th and > 95th percentile) is equivalent to an absolute difference of approximately 25% relative to the smallest side (bidirectional asymmetry ratio 5th percentile - 19%; 95th percentile 26%).

Conclusion: This study provides normative data of German women, as well as selected size-for-BMI percentiles and asymmetry ratio percentiles. The normative data may help to establish transparent and objective coverage criteria for health insurances.

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Keywords: Breast base; Breast base diameter; Breast footprint; Breast height; Breast width; Inframammary fold; Sulcus intermammarius.