title: [Doppler color-echo in the echographic evaluation of solid neoplasms of the breast: 5 years of experience].
abstract: In the last 5 years, 1,245 breasts have been examined with conventional and color-Doppler US. To assess color-Doppler capabilities and limitations, the results were critically reviewed only of the 311 patients who were operated and had unquestionable histologic findings. We investigated: 1) the number of "vascular poles", that is the vessels entering the examined mass from the periphery; 2) the presence of vessels with "abnormal" features, that is the vessels with varying diameters and/or with tortuous and erratic course; 3) the presence of vessels even on the mass interface only. The criterion indicated as no. 1, that is the presence of more than a vascular pole, exhibited 90.4% sensitivity and 70.7% prospective and 90.7% retrospective specificity. The criterion indicated as no. 2, that is the presence of vessels with anomalous features exhibited 75.1% sensitivity and 96.9% specificity. Using criterion no. 3 instead of no. 1, sensitivity would be increased from 90.4% to 96.5% but specificity would be decreased from 70.7% (and 90.7% retrospective specificity) to 46.9%, which was considered to be too low relative to the moderate increase in sensitivity. The positive predictive value of the presence of two vascular poles was 85% and that of the presence of vessels with anomalous course was 97.7%. Criteria no. 1 and 2 had 70.7% and 68.8% negative predictive value, respectively. In conclusion, the authors suggest the use of color-Doppler US to add further pieces of information to those obtained with conventional US.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Radiologia, Ospedale Maggiore di Lodi, Milano.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Calliada
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raieli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sala
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bottinelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: La Fianza
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Corsi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergonzi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Campani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003116:Color; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
vernacular_title: L'eco-color-Doppler nella valutazione ecografica nelle neoformazioni solide della mammella: 5 anni di esperienza.