Comparative study of handheld ultrasound, automated breast volume scanner and breast specific gamma imaging in the diagnosis of breast cancer

Abstract

Objective To compare the efficiencies of handheld ultrasound, automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) and breast specific gamma imaging (BSGI) in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Methods A retrospective review was performed in 200 women (210 breast lesions) underwent handheld ultrasound, ABVS and BSGI before surgery. The results were verified with histological examination. Results There was no obvious difference among the three methods in the sensitivity for the diagnosis of breast cancer(P>0.05). There was no difference of specificity between handheld ultrasound and ABVS, BSGI(P=0.393, 0.139). Compared with BSGI, ABVS was an imaging modality with highest specificity for the diagnosis of breast cancer(P=0.021), and there was no difference between handheld ultrasound and ABVS, BSGI (P=0.07, 0.29). The areas under the ROC curve of handheld ultrasound, ABVS and BSGI were 0.855, 0.894 and 0.818, respectively. The difference was obvious between ABVS and BSGI (P=0.02). Conclusions The diagnostic efficacy of ABVS in diagnosis of breast malignant lesions is similar to that of handheld ultrasound. BSGI has certain clinical value in the diagnosis of breast cancer, and it is an effective supplement for breast cancer ultrasound examination. Key words: Ultrasonography; Breast neoplasms; Automated breast volume scanner; Breast specific gamma imaging