Abstract
Objective. To evaluate the diagnostic benefit of real-time elastography (RTE) in clinical routine. Strain indices (SI) for benign and malignant tumors were assessed. Methods. 100 patients with 110 focal breast lesions were retrieved. Patients had mammography (MG), ultrasound (US), and, if necessary, MRI. RTE was conducted after ultrasound. Lesions were assessed with BI-RADS for mammography and ultrasound. Diagnosis was established with histology or follow-up. Results. SI for BI-RADS 2 was 1.71 ± 0.86. Higher SI (2.21 ± 1.96) was observed for BI-RADS 3 lesions. SI of BI-RADS 4 and 5 lesions were significantly higher (16.92 ± 20.89) and (19.54 ± 10.41). 31 malignant tumors exhibited an average SI of 16.13 ± 14.67; SI of benign lesions was 5.29 ± 11.87 (P value <0.0001). ROC analysis threshold was >3.8 for malignant disease. Sensitivity of sonography was 90.3% (specificity 78.5%). RTE showed a sensitivity of 87.1% (specificity 79.7%). Accuracy of all modalities combined was 96.8%. In BI-RADS 3 lesions RTE was able to detect all malignant lesions (sensitivity 100%, specificity 92.9%, and accuracy 93.9%). Conclusions. RTE increased sensitivity and specificity for breast cancer detection when used in combination with ultrasound.
Highlights
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers occurring in women [1], but sensitive diagnostic imaging modalities that detect cancer early are frequently limited by their low specificity
All of the imaging examinations were classified in consensus by two radiologists with 10 and 2 years of experience in breast imaging according to the BI-RADS classification referring to mammography and sonography (Table 1)
Despite the limitations mentioned above, our study demonstrated that real-time elastography is a promising method for increasing the accuracy of conventional sonography in a clinical setting
Summary
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers occurring in women [1], but sensitive diagnostic imaging modalities that detect cancer early are frequently limited by their low specificity. Real-time elastography (RTE) can be rapidly and performed along with a B-scan and Doppler ultrasound during the same session. This procedure can aid in identifying the lesion’s morphological features and in obtaining information regarding the tissue’s mechanical characteristics [6]. Itoh et al [7] established a scoring system to morphologically classify lesions in a manner analogous to the Breast Imaging and Reporting Data System (BI-RADS) [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
