The efficacy and safety of cold-induced lipolysis in the treatment of pseudogynecomastia

Background: The treatment options for pseudogynecomastia have been limited. Cold-induced lipolysis provides a noninvasive, localized subcutaneous adipocyte destruction by inducing adipocyte apoptosis. Objective: This study has been designed to evaluate the efficacy of cold-induced lipolysis as a treatment modality for pseudogynecomastia. Methods: In this 28-week prospective trial, a total of 12 male pseudogynecomastia patients (Korean) were treated twice with cold-induced lipolysis. Efficacy was determined by chest circumference, ultrasonographic measurement of fat thickness, Simon's Gynecomastia class (SGC), photographic assessment, and the patient's satisfaction (baseline, weeks 4, 8, 16, and 28). Using a questionnaire, safety was evaluated at each visit. Results: For 10 subjects that completed the trial, chest circumference and fat thickness significantly improved by week 8. This same improvement was gradually noticed through week 28. The patients SGC scores continuously decreased after two sessions. Photographic assessment showed an improvement until week 28. The result of the patient's satisfaction score was also meaningful. While there were no adverse events observed, transient pain and bruising at the treatment site were noticed. Limitations: We recruited a limited number of participants. Also, we could not exclude there might be other individual factors in association with the patients pseudogynecomastia. Conclusion: Cold-induced lipolysis is a safe, effective therapeutic option in the treatment of pseudogynecomastia. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:584–589, 2016.