Stamatia V. Destounis MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Wende W. Young MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Philip Murphy MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Patricia Somerville MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Posy Seifert DO, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Margarita Louise Zuley MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sarah Hanson, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) as an adjunct to screening mammography in patients with dense breast tissue.

Screening breast ultrasound was performed on 285 breasts in 143 patients in addition to mammography. Three study views using automated scanning parameters were taken of each breast by trained mammography technologists using the SomoVu scanstation (U-Systems, San Jose, CA). Results (soft-copy) were interpreted and reviewed with mammography (hard-copy). Prior hand-held ultrasound (HHUS), when available, was reviewed subsequent to interpretation of the ABUS. Patient age, mammographic BIRADS® density, BIRADS® assessment [mammography alone, mammography and ABUS, mammography and HHUS (for patients recalled for handheld ultrasound after interpretation of ABUS)], 7 point malignancy score, description of any ABUS findings, whether findings were previously documented, and interpretation time were recorded.

In 143 patients, 6/285 breasts were categorized with heterogeneously dense tissue and 279/285 as dense. Median patient age was 49 years (range 26 – 76). Median ABUS interpretation time was 8 minutes (range 2 – 25). Findings (86/285) were recorded as 77/86 cysts (41/77 new findings), 6/86 masses (3/6 new), 2/86 duct ectasia (2/2 new), 1/86 complicated cyst (1/1 new). BIRADS® assessment and 7 point malignancy scale scores upgraded in 79/285 cases. Upgrades were attributed to cystic findings (64/79), benign masses (5/79), detection of previously documented benign findings (9/79), and one instance of duct ectasia. Five patients were recalled based on the results of the ABUS. One recall was a false positive due to shadowing caused by Coopers ligaments, 2/5 findings were benign at HHUS, 2/5 patients underwent needle biopsy where benign pathology was documented.

In this cohort of dense breasts, automated screening ultrasound has demonstrated concordance with known benign breast conditions and the capability to provide documentation of new benign findings. Continued evaluation is necessary to determine its efficacy as a screening tool in the detection of mammographically occult breast cancer.

Screening Breast Ultrasound

Destounis, S, Young, W, Murphy, P, Somerville, P, Seifert, P, Zuley, M, Hanson, S, et al, , Initial Experience of Automated Breast Ultrasound Screening Trial in the Setting of a Community Based Private Practice.  Radiological Society of North America 2006 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 1, 2006 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2006/4438361.html