The Role of Doppler Sonography in Distinguishing Malignant from Benign Breast Lesions

Abstract

Background The use of color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) for characterizing breast lesions has increased in recent years. The aim of this study was to assess the value of CDUS and resistance index (RI), in evaluating solid breast masses. Methods In total, 38 cases with one or more solid breast masses were enrolled. CDUS was performed for each participant, evaluating RI, and all of them underwent a tissue biopsy. The results were categorized and compared with pathology results. Results Malignant breast lesions were more vascular than the benign lesions. Blood vessels were detected in 97.4% of the malignant group and only 35% of the benign group. The mean values of RI in benign lesions and malignant lesions were 0.65 ± 0.065 (range, 0.52–0.89) and 0.71 ± 0.093 (range, 0.57–0.75), respectively. The difference was just short of statistical significance ( p = 0.061). Conclusion Hypervascularity of a breast mass is the most reliable sign in Doppler ultrasound to predict its possibility of malignancy. However, it appears that the use of RI alone has little value in differentiating between malignant and benign breast lesions. Pathological findings are still the gold standard for diagnosing the type of breast nodules.