Breast development and disorders in the adolescent female.

Breast development in the female is a process that becomes noticeable during puberty, and defines a girl's transition into adulthood. Various conditions can disrupt or alter the normal development, which may lead to abnormal breast changes and features. Further, the finding of a breast mass in adolescence can be unsettling to the patient and her family. While the majority of these breast changes and/or masses tend to be benign and self-limited, the appropriate evaluation is always warranted. This chapter will focus on the normal and abnormal development of breasts. We will also discuss the evaluation and management of breast masses that can be found in the adolescent female.

Breast disorders in the female adolescent.

Breast disorders in the adolescent female can cause significant anxiety for the patient and her family and pose a clinical challenge for her health care provider. Care and consideration given to the emotions of the patient and family, as well as minimizing trauma and injury to the developing breast, are paramount. This article addresses the gamut of concerns that involve the adolescent breast. As benign breast disease is the most common breast disorder, conservative management should be entertained whenever possible. Patients should be referred to providers comfortable in treating the adolescent patient with breast disease or concerns.

Pediatric and adolescent gynecology learned via a Web-based computerized case series.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To increase resident knowledge in pediatric and adolescent gynecology via a Web-based self-tutorial. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort involving 11 third- and fourth-year residents in a large university program. Residents were asked to complete a Web-based teaching series of cases involving common topics of pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG). A pretest and a posttest were completed to assess knowledge gained. Residents were asked to give feedback regarding improvements to the Web-based series for future case development. SETTING: University-affiliated residency program in a major metropolitan area. PARTICIPANTS: Resident physicians in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. INTERVENTIONS: Introduction of a Web-based teaching series to enhance resident education. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Improvement of resident knowledge in PAG. RESULTS: All residents improved their knowledge in PAG after reviewing the series of cases. The pretest group mean score was 50%. The posttest group score was 69% (P < .05). All (100%) of participants said that this tool was an effective way to improve resident knowledge in PAG. CONCLUSION: A computer-based self-tutorial in pediatric and adolescent gynecology is a feasible and satisfactory teaching adjunct to PAG.

Reliability study for pediatric and adolescent gynecology case-based learning in resident education.

OBJECTIVE: To assess web-based teaching as a tool for resident education in pediatric and adolescent gynecology. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective Cohort involving 12 third year OB/GYN residents in a large university-based program. A second look reliability study on a previously utilized, web-based teaching case series in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology topics was evaluated. Residents' knowledge regarding the subject matter was assessed by pretest. After completion of the web-based teaching tool, a post test was administered. Residents were also given an opportunity to provide feedback regarding improvements to address future case series development for the tool and resident satisfaction in using this resource for resident education. RESULTS: The pre-test group mean score was 11.2 (58.9%), SD=1.9. The post-test group mean score was 15.2 (80%), SD=1.70. (P=0.0002). Resident participants universally reported the case series was a useful teaching tool. Pooled results from 2005-2006 and 2007-2008 also yielded statistically significant scores from pre test to post test (power of >80% at the 95% confidence interval). CONCLUSION: A computer-based learning tool is an effective resource to improve baseline knowledge among ob-gyn residents in the subspecialty field of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.