Generality
The tuberous sinus represents a condition in which one or both breasts show malformations.
The severity of the malformations varies from patient to patient. In some cases, the alterations are so slight as to be difficult to detect both by the patient herself and by non-experts in the field. Malformations that give rise to tuberous sinus are related to abnormalities in the development process of the breast itself and the mammary gland.
Although it generally does not give rise to symptoms, in particularly serious cases, the tuberous sinus can have negative repercussions on self-esteem and on the patient's ability to relate to him.
Currently, the only treatment available for the correction of similar abnormalities in breast development is surgical treatment. Depending on the severity of the tuberous sinus, the techniques that can be used are different. Of course, the choice to perform a certain type of intervention rather than another is up to and only to the plastic surgeon, after an accurate diagnosis followed by a scrupulous preliminary visit.
What is that
What is Tuberous Breast?
With "tuberous breast" we want to indicate a particular condition in which one or both mammary glands are subject to malformations .
More in detail, the tuberous sinus is characterized by alterations in the morphology of the mammary gland that tends to develop in an anomalous manner, assuming a narrow and long form, often called " tuberose " (or "tuberous"), but also "in tube "or" tubular "(hence the synonym of" tubular sinus ").
The malformations that characterize the tuberous sinus can appear already from the first phases of development of the woman, therefore since the adolescence. The presence of this condition in an adolescent - a period of life already complicated in itself - can clearly affect the self-esteem of the patient with consequent psychological repercussions. On the other hand, similar repercussions can also occur in adult patients.
Causes
What are the Causes of Tuberous Breast?
The tuberous sinus manifests itself due to an abnormal development of the breast tissue which tends to accumulate and concentrate in the area behind the areola, assuming the typical tubular form mentioned above.
Unfortunately, the causes that lead to this anomalous development are not yet known, although it is assumed that there may be the involvement of environmental factors and dietary factors . More in detail, it is thought that exposure to environmental pollutants and any hormones taken with food may play a role in the etiology of the malformation.
Please note
The tuberous sinus should not be confused with the anomalies present in Poland syndrome, a disease characterized by malformations affecting the pectoral muscles of one half of the thorax and the upper limb surrounding it.
Features
Characteristics of Tuberous Breast
Compared to a normal breast, the tuberous sinus has a more or less accentuated abnormal shape. Depending on the severity of the malformations that characterize it and based on its size, a tuberous sinus can manifest some or all of the following clinical signs:
- Insufficient development of the lower quadrants of the breast (always present);
- Lack of submammary tissue below the breast which, instead, is concentrated in the area behind the areola;
- Increased areola diameter (this occurs due to the concentration of breast tissue in the areolar zone);
- Lack of the inframammary groove or its constriction;
- "Tuberous" or "tubular" breast form;
- Unusually wide spacing between the two breasts;
- Sagging breast (as the breast develops, this - not adequately supported due to developmental anomalies - tends to assume a falling position).
The malformations causing the tuberous sinus can manifest themselves in one (unilateral) or both breasts (bilateral). If the developmental anomalies are bilateral, the udders are not necessarily affected in the same way. On the contrary, in most cases, the two breasts are affected by malformations in different ways, giving rise to a more or less marked asymmetry .
Curiosity
Because of the particular shape assumed by the tuberous sinus, it is sometimes called "Snoopy breast", since it should remember the shape of the face of the homonymous comic-strip character.
Tuberous sinus and Psychological repercussions
Although the tuberous sinus generally does not represent a condition capable of endangering the life of the patient, the altered appearance of this area can have negative psychological repercussions. The patient with tuberous sinus, in fact, could show low self-esteem, may feel different and inadequate, may experience difficulties in relating with other people and, in particular, with a possible partner.
Such a situation of insecurity and low self-esteem can particularly aggravate during adolescence, a period that is extremely complicated in itself due to the numerous changes that occur inside and outside the patient's body.
In similar situations, as well as intervening directly on the tuberous sinus through surgery, psychological support may also be necessary.
Types
Types of Tuberous Breast
The severity of the malformations deriving from the altered development of the breast tissue that leads to the appearance of tuberous sinus may vary from patient to patient. There are cases of particularly pronounced and severe tuberous sinus, just as there are cases in which malformations are so slight that they are difficult to detect by untrained eyes.
More in detail, there are four different types of tuberous sinus:
- Type 1 : in the type 1 tuberous sinus there is a lack of breast tissue located mainly in the internal and lower quadrants of the breast. In this case, therefore, the breast develops both in the upper and in the external part, while the lower and inner parts are "emptied". Type 1 tuberous sinus is characterized by an evident separation of the breasts and a particularly dilated areola.
- Type 2 : the type 2 tuberous sinus is characterized by an evident and marked lack of tissues in the lower quadrants of the breast; the areolas may or may not be dilated. It is a typology that is generally manifested in small to medium sized breasts.
- Type 3 : the type 3 tuberous sinus is characterized by a failure to develop breast tissue in all quadrants of the breast which appears to be projected forward. The areola is not necessarily dilated but can also take normal shape and size.
- Type 4 : type 4 tuberous sinus is the most severe form and is characterized by a severe lack of development of breast tissue in all breast quadrants. As with type 3, the breast - unable to develop properly - grows projected forward. In this case, however, the areola never takes on normal shape and size, on the contrary, it tends to be projected outwards, it is falling and its dimensions can occupy the entire breast.
Diagnosis
Importance of the Diagnosis of Sinus Tuberose
The diagnosis of tuberous sinus must be made by a doctor experienced in this area. In order to ensure a correct diagnosis, the doctor will have to rule out the presence of other causes that may have given rise to malformations of the mammary glands. Furthermore, it is of fundamental importance to determine the type of tuberous sinus presented by the patient; only in this way it is, in fact, possible to determine which treatment is best undertaken to correct the malformations in question.
Treatment
Correction of the Tuberous Breast
The only treatment available for tuberous sinus correction is surgical.
The techniques that can be used are many and vary depending on the severity of the malformation that the patient manifests. However, since the tuberous sensation is characterized by an abnormal development of the mammary gland that tends to take a "tuberous" or "tubular" form, it is possible to affirm that the correction of the tuberous sinus has the objective of increasing the base of the mammary gland, eliminating the tendency to be drooping and expanding the overlying skin.
In some cases, if the patient wishes it and the doctor considers it feasible, it is possible to associate the intervention of correction of the tuberous sinus with the operation to increase the size of the breast itself.
However, below, the main methods and techniques used in cosmetic surgery to treat the tuberous sinus will be briefly described. However, for more detailed information on this, we recommend reading the articles already on this site.
Breast Lift
Also known as " breast lift ", mastopexy is a cosmetic surgery with which you want to lift a sagging breast and / or want to change the shape and size of the areola . Therefore, it is an intervention that can also be useful in the case of tuberous sinus; in particular, in the presence of type 1 and 2 tuberous sinus.
Breast augmentation
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure with which you want to work on a little developed or slightly drooping breast with the intention of increasing its volume . This type of intervention can be useful in the presence of type 3 and 4 tuberous sinus.
Please note
Performing mastopexy alone or just breast augmentation is unlikely to solve the tuberous sinus problem definitively. In fact, a general remodeling of the breast tissue and of the entire breast is necessary. For this reason, tuberous sinus correction operations should only be performed by specialist surgeons who are experienced in treating this type of malformation.
Lipofilling
Lipofilling consists in the removal of adipose tissue from a body area in which it is abundantly present (defined as "donor area") and - after purification - from its re-injection into other empty areas or areas without volume. The big advantage of this technique is the absence of potential allergic reactions, since the injected fatty tissue belongs to the same patient ( autologous fat ). However, once injected, this fat tends to be partially reabsorbed by the body in unpredictable percentages. This characteristic means that lipofilling is used more than anything else as an adjuvant technique in the correction of the tuberous sinus, in addition to breast remodeling and / or prosthesis insertion. The use of lipofilling as the only treatment of the tuberous sinus can only occur in rare cases, properly selected by the surgeon.
Combined techniques
In recent years, new surgical procedures have been developed for the treatment and correction of tuberous sinus. One of these involves the combination of two of the above mentioned techniques: first we proceed with the execution of a lipofilling in order to modify the appearance and width of the breast (the autologous fat is injected into the lower and internal quadrants with the intent to free the mammary groove and enlarge the base of the breast), after which, prosthetic implants are inserted to give new volume to the breast.
Please note
The type of intervention to be carried out for the correction of the tuberous sinus must be established together with the surgeon after an accurate diagnosis (identification of the type of tuberous sinus shown by the patient) and after performing a preliminary examination in which it is it is necessary to exclude the presence of any contraindications or risks for the patient deriving from the intervention itself.
Duration of the intervention
The duration of the surgery, of course, depends on the type of technique that you decide to use to correct the tuberous sinus. In general, interventions of this type can take a variable time from one to three hours, are performed under general anesthesia and require hospitalization of at least one or two nights.
Side effects and complications
The side effects and complications that may occur following tuberous sinus correction are closely related to the technique that was decided to be used. However, among the most common side effects that may occur, include: swelling, tight breast sensation, reduced or no nipple sensitivity, pain and bruising.
The scars are usually minimal, poorly visible and localized around the areola.
Who can undergo intervention?
Generally - although the tuberous sinus may manifest itself from the early stages of its growth during adolescence - recourse to surgical treatment for its correction is preferably carried out in adult women, since it would be good to wait for the completion of development. However, in cases where there is a strong psychological distress induced by the presence of the tuberous sinus, the doctor could decide to intervene even in adolescence.
Costs of Tuberous Breast Correction
The cost of tuberous breast correction varies considerably depending on the type of treatment required. Since in most cases it is necessary to combine different techniques of plastic surgery that must be adapted to the needs of each patient, the price of the correction operation can also vary greatly from person to person, making it difficult to quantify a possible expense overall in the absence of an accurate visit and diagnosis.
Did you know that ...
In the most serious cases - based on the provisions present in each region - interventions for tuberous sinus correction can be carried out by the National Health System.
Results and Limits
Results of Tuberous Breast Correction
Immediately after the correction of the tuberous sinus it is possible that this appears unnatural, stretched upwards and swollen. Over time, however, the breast will tend to deflate slightly, thus appearing less tense and assuming a more natural shape. Generally, the shape of the breast is definitive and appreciable about six months after the correction operation.
Disadvantages and Limits of Tuberous Breast Correction
Unfortunately, despite the remodeling and filling operation of the tuberous sinus, in some cases, there is the risk of running into a slight relapse . In other words, the breast may show a tendency to return to the original condition prior to surgical treatment. This occurrence could make it necessary to resort to a second intervention.
Finally, it is important to remember that, after a tuberous breast correction operation, it is difficult to breastfeed. In contrast, breastfeeding would not be possible even in the presence of an untreated tuberous sinus.
In any case, we would like to remind you again that - to obtain the best result, as well as to obtain a stable result over time - it is of fundamental importance to contact exclusively specialized medical personnel who work in qualified structures and who have experience in the field. of tuberous sinus correction.
