[Value of mammography in the diagnosis of breast masses in adolescents].

Breast masses in teenagers are uncommon; in most cases, the palpation of a mass by the patient herself leads to physical and radiological examination. According to the age of the patient, radiographic exams should be limited, and mammography in particular, should not necessarily be performed. Ultrasonography using a high frequency transducer is very useful when associated with physical examination, and gives an accurate diagnosis in most cases. A large isolated mass detected in a healthy young girl is usually benign (adenofibroma). Multiple small masses suggest a malignancy (metastases or hemopathy), especially if the subject has been previously treated for such a disease. Primary breast carcinoma is exceptional.