Richard LeRoy Ellis MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Andrew A. Meade MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Joel Cook MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To demonstrate the value of breast ultrasound in differentiating benign from malignant solid lesion.

A total of 1,203 ultrasound examinations of solid lesions were evaluated by clinical breast radiologists using dedicated breast ultrasound units from January 1, 2002 to April 6, 2006. All solid lesions were prospectively classified using a stringent scoring system (benign, probably benign, suspicious for malignancy, and highly suspicious for malignancy based upon criteria previously published by Stavros AT et al., Radiology 1995;196(1):123-134). Benign lesions had no associated malignant characteristics and were oval/round in shape, homogenous hypoechogenic, smooth thin echogenic wall, parallel orientation, and/or no posterior acoustic shadowing. Ultrasound lesion scoring was compared with histologic results. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values were calculated.

Malignant histologic results were found in 567 lesions (47%) and benign results in 636 lesions (53%). Of the benign lesions, 245 were correctly characterized as benign, while 6 characterized as benign were malignant. Of the malignant lesions, 561 were correctly characterized as malignant, while 391 characterized as malignant were benign. Therefore, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values were 98.9%, 38.5%, 58.9%, and 97.6% respectively.

When adhering to the stringent criteria previously established for solid breast lesions identified with ultrasound, lesions can be accurately classified as benign allowing appropriate imaging follow-up rather than biopsy for evaluation.

When adhering to the stringent criteria for solid breast lesions identified with ultrasound, lesions can be accurately classified as benign allowing appropriate imaging follow-up rather than biopsy.

Ellis, R, Meade, A, Cook, J, Breast Ultrasound to Differentiate between Benign and Malignant Solid Lesions.  Radiological Society of North America 2006 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 1, 2006 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2006/4430681.html