Background and Objective

Adequate assessment of symmetry is a critical aspect when evaluating results in breast surgery. Most methods of asymmetry assessment are based on subjective observations by the surgeon or patients, as well as on the objective measurement of distances between key points, such as the sternal notch and the nipple. The widespread use of an objective method would have obvious advantages.

We aim to design and test an imaging analysis method that allows to objectively assess the degree of breast asymmetry.

Methods

An application has been developed to quantify the degree of disparity between two similar images, based on a computer algorithm. The algorithm was used to compare images of breasts, yielding a numerical result that we named global breast asymmetry index (GBAI). This value was calculated in a series of 50 patients pre- and postoperatively. The result was compared with other asymmetry assessment methods, both objective and subjective, including a survey of 100 health professionals and a panel of experts.

Results

The implementation of our algorithm to calculate the breast asymmetry index shows similar results to subjective assessment of asymmetry by health personnel, improving other objective methods and presenting itself as a useful alternative to traditional methods of symmetry assessment.

Conclusions

Measurement of optical flow is a valid and objective method of assessment of the degree of breast asymmetry.

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