Quantitative differential diagnosis of breast tumors using shear wave velocity and different probe orientations ⁎

Abstract

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the additional benefit of the difference of maximum and minimum shear wave velocity (SWV) values obtained at different probe orientations (D-value) for the differential diagnosis of breast tumors. Methods SWV (m/s) was measured in 123 breast tumors (92 benign, 31 malignant) in 76 female patients with the probe placed on the transverse, longitudinal, and 45° planes. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves were compared with respect to the maximum SWV, minimum SWV, D-value, maximum SWV combined with the D-value, and minimum SWV combined with the D-value. Results There was a significant difference among the values of the maximum SWV, minimum SWV, and D-value for the 3 planes (P < 0.001). The AUROC curves for the maximum SWV, minimum SWV, and D-values of the 3 planes were 0.751 (P = 0.379), 0.486 (P = 0.863), and 0.603 (P = 0.204), respectively. The cutoff value for the maximum SWV for differentiating benign tumors from malignant tumors was 2.51 m/s (sensitivity 67%, specificity 50%). The cutoff value for the minimum SWV was 1.61 m/s (sensitivity 53%, specificity 50%). Adding the D-value increased the AUROC curve for the maximum SWV from 0.571 to 0.733 and the minimum SWV from 0.486 to 0.504 (P = 0.964), respectively. Conclusion SWV differs in different planes of breast tumors. The D-value can provide a reference for the differential diagnosis of breast tumors.