Norran Hussein Said MSc, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Hanaa Aboelmagd MSc, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mahi Mokhtar, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ashraf Selim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dorria Salem MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To investigate the added value of elastography in, differentiating between benign and malignant breast masses, and deciding between biopsy & follow up  (BI-RADS 3 & 4 categories). 

From July 2007 till February 2008, a total of  230 women (mean age 46.71, range 17 to 77 years) and 242 breast masses (61.6% benign , 38.4% malignant) were evaluated with real time grey scale ultrasound & elastography (using the EUB 7500, Hitachi, Japan).  BI-RADS categorization was applied followed by elastography using visual assessment of strain images by a 5 point color scale (1-2 =benign, 3= indeterminate, 4-5 = malignant), and the Fat / lesion (strain ) ratio (< 4.8 = benign, > 4.8= malignant).

242 lesions with size range of 2 to 40mm were biopsied, and results were correlated with conventional ultrasound and elastography findings. 70 cases were categorized as BI-RADS 3, and 79 cases as BI-RADS 4. Using Elastography with a visual score cut off value at 3, the results demonstrated a sensitivity &  specificity of  95.7% & 76.51% , and a  +ve PV, -ve PV of  71.77 & 96.61. Accuracy was 83.88. Using a cut off value at 4, the specificity increased to 85.9 %. When we added our elastography findings to grey scale ultrasound findings, we had a total sensitivity & specificty of 100% & 78.52 % respectively, and a + PV & -PV of 74.40 & 100, while accuracy was 86.78.

Elastography can  improve the diagnostic performance of ultrasound in evaluation of breast masses.

Adding elastography to breast ultrasound may improve the decision to confirm or eliminate the need for biopsy.

Said, N, Aboelmagd, H, Mokhtar, M, Selim, A, Salem, D, Ultrasound Elastography of Breast Masses: Necessity or Luxury?.  Radiological Society of North America 2008 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, February 18 - February 20, 2008 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2008/6007254.html