Abstract:
Objective To evaluate the performance of elastography in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions. In particular, to determine the beneficial effects of elastography to the differentiation of Breast Imaging and Reporting Data System 4(BI-RADS 4) breast lesions, which require a biopsy, as diagnosed via conventional ultrasound.
Methods Between August 2010 and June 2011, 204 women with 210 lesions were enrolled in the study.After conventional ultrasound examination, elastography was performed using a manual freehand compression technique.
Results Pathological examination revealed 124 malignant lesions(59.1%) and 86 benign lesions out of 210(40.9%).The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the ultrasound were 88.7%, 84.9%, and 87.1%, respectively: those for elastography were 83.1%, 81.4%, and 82.4%, respectively; and those for the combination of ultrasound and elastography were 85.5%, 97.7%, and 90.5%, respectively.For the 61 BI-RADS 4 lesions diagnosed via conventional ultrasound. 46 were malignant and 15 were benign.The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of elastography were 93.5%, 93.3%, and 93.4%, respectively.
Conclusion Elastography provides more information for breast lesion diagnoses.In addition, the combination of ultrasound and elastography has high specificity and accuracy in differentiating benign breast lesions from malignant ones.Elastography reduces the need for biopsy for low-risk BI-RADS 4 lesions.