Abstract
BackgroundElastography is a promising way to assess tissue differences regarding stiffness or elasticity, which has been historically assessed manually by palpation. Combined with conventional imaging modalities, shear wave elastography can potentially evaluate the stiffness of a breast lesion and consequently help detect malignant breast tumor from benign ones. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic role of shear wave elastography in breast lesions in the Indian population.Material and methodsFifty patients presenting with breast lesions were included in the study. All the patients were subjected to B-mode ultrasound and elastography using shear wave with Virtual Touch Imaging (VTITM) (Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., PA, USA) and Virtual Touch Quantification (VTQTM) (Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., PA, USA) and the obtained data was analyzed using an appropriate statistical test (independent samples t-test).ResultsIn our study group of 50 patients, 34 were benign and 16 were malignant. VTITM showed a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 93% with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 97% for benign lesions. VTITM showed a sensitivity of 87.5 % and a specificity of 100% with a PPV of 100% for malignant lesions. VTQTM showed a sensitivity of 71.4% and a specificity of 100% with a PPV of 100% for benign lesions. VTQTM showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100% with a PPV of 76.6% for malignant lesions.ConclusionsVTITM was more reliable as a diagnostic tool compared to VTQTM in benign lesions and both are equally reliable in identifying malignant lesions. Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) plays a significant role as an adjuvant diagnostic tool to B-mode imaging for assessing breast lesions.
Highlights
Breast lumps are a cause of great concern, irrespective of the age group
VTITM showed a sensitivity of 87.5 % and a specificity of 100% with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% for malignant lesions
VTQTM showed a sensitivity of 71.4% and a specificity of 100% with a PPV of 100% for benign lesions
Summary
Breast lumps are a cause of great concern, irrespective of the age group. Breast cancer is the most important cause of cancer-related mortality among females in economically developing countries [1]. Elastography is a promising tool to assess tissue differences regarding stiffness or elasticity, which has been historically assessed manually by palpation. Breast elastography provides supplementary information for characterization of lesions over conventional sonography and mammography. This technique, which provides information on the strain or hardness of a lesion, similar to a clinical palpation examination, has become a routine tool in addition to the diagnostic ultrasound during the last five years [3]. Combined with conventional imaging modalities, shear wave elastography can potentially evaluate the stiffness of a breast lesion and help detect malignant breast tumor from benign ones. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic role of shear wave elastography in breast lesions in the Indian population
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