Fritz K.W. Schaefer MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Philipp J. Schaefer MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Suenje Osterholz MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Berndt Order, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Daniela Fuerst MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Nina Hofheinz, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Juergen Hedderich, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ingrid Schreer MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasound (US) elastography in breast masses.

193 lesions (benign, 129; malignant, 64) were analyzed with the EUB 8500 Logos ultrasonic unit (Hitachi Medical, Japan) using a linear-array transducer of 7.5-13 MHz. Reference standard was cytology (fine needle aspiration) or histology (core biopsy). US elastography findings were classified according a six-point color scale (Ueno classification, 1-3=benign, 4-5=malignant). Conventional B-mode US findings were classified according the BI-RADS classification. Statistical analysis included sensitivity, specificity, ROC-analysis and kappa-values for intra- and interobserver reliability.

For malignant lesions the mean score in elasticity was 4.1+/-0.9, for benign lesions 2.1+/- 1.0 (p<0.001). With a best cut-off-point for elastography between Ueno score 3 and 4, sensitivity was 96.9%, and specificity 76%, respectively. With a best cut-off-point for conventional US between BI-RADS 4 and 5, sensitivity was 57.8%, and specificity 96.1%, respectively. Elastography had higher sensitivity, and lower specificity than conventional US did. Two lesions scored Ueno 1 were false negative whereas no lesion scored BI-RADS 1-3 were false negative. ROC-curve for elastography was 0.884 (p<0.001) and for conventional US 0.820 (p<0.001). Weighted kappa-value for intra-/interobserver reliability for BI-RADS-classification was 0.784/0.634 and for elasticity scores 0.720/0.561.

US elastography has not the potential to replace conventional B-mode US for the detection of breast cancer, but can complement conventional US to improve the diagnostic performance.

 First results of a new and innovative non-invasive technology for diagnosing breast cancer.

Schaefer, F, Schaefer, P, Osterholz, S, Order, B, Fuerst, D, Hofheinz, N, Hedderich, J, Schreer, I, et al, , Breast Ultrasound Elastography: Results of 193 Breast Lesions in a Prospective Study with Histopathologic Correlation.  Radiological Society of North America 2008 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, February 18 - February 20, 2008 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2008/6016464.html