Ultrasound-guided biopsy of breast calcifications using a new image processing technique: initial experience.

Almir Galvão Vieira Bitencourt,Camila Souza Guatelli,Maria Luiza Lima Albuquerque,Elvira Ferreira Marques,Luciana Graziano

doi:10.1590/0100-3984.2017.0054

Almir Galvão Vieira Bitencourt, Camila Souza Guatelli + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-3984.2017.0054

Copy DOI

Journal: Radiologia brasileira	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2018
Citations: 6	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: AC Camargo Hospital

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to describe the use of a new ultrasound imaging processing technique to guide biopsies of suspicious breast calcifications. We used this technique in 13 patients with suspicious breast calcifications that could not be submitted to stereotactic biopsy. Suspicious calcifications were identified by ultrasound, and the biopsy was successfully performed in all cases. Although mammography continues to be the method of choice for the detection and characterization of microcalcifications, this new technique can be an alternative means of guiding biopsy procedures in selected patients who are not candidates for stereotactic biopsy.

Highlights

Mammography is the method of choice to guide biopsies of suspicious breast calcifications[1,2]
The aim of this paper is to describe the use of a new ultrasound imaging processing technique to identify and guide biopsies of suspicious breast calcifications detected on mammography
In all 13 of the cases evaluated, stereotactic biopsy could not be performed, because of the location of the lesion in five cases; because of insufficient thickness of the compressed breast in three; and because of clinical conditions in five

Summary

Introduction

Mammography is the method of choice to guide biopsies of suspicious breast calcifications[1,2]. Despite the use of alternative approaches[2,3], stereotactic biopsy is not technically achievable in all cases. Ultrasound has been proposed as an alternative to stereotactic biopsy in selected patients with suspicious breast calcifications[4,5]. Conventional gray-scale examination limits the identification of calcifications, especially those located outside of a mass or duct, due to the lack of contrast with the normal breast parenchyma. Recent technical advances have improved the detection of calcifications by ultrasound[6,7,8]. The aim of this paper is to describe the use of a new ultrasound imaging processing technique to identify and guide biopsies of suspicious breast calcifications detected on mammography

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion