Contrast-enhanced colour Doppler ultrasonography in suspected breast cancer recurrence.
BACKGROUND
Postoperative scarring and radiotherapy changes in the conservatively treated breast often mimic breast cancer recurrence, resulting in many unnecessary biopsies. Local breast cancer recurrence may be detected more accurately with contrast-enhanced colour Doppler imaging.


METHODS
Fifty-eight women with suspected local breast cancer recurrence were evaluated prospectively by means of conventional and contrast-enhanced colour Doppler imaging before surgical biopsy.


RESULTS
Sensitivity for the detection of breast cancer recurrence using contrast enhancement was 94 per cent (specificity 67 per cent). Contrast enhancement significantly increased overall diagnostic accuracy, from 80 to 90 per cent (P < 0. 04).


CONCLUSIONS
Contrast-enhanced colour Doppler imaging is a highly accurate method for detecting local breast cancer recurrence. Its adoption may substantially reduce biopsy rates.
Winehouse
J
J
Department of Surgery, Royal Free and University College London Medical School, UK.
Douek
M
M
Holz
K
K
Madjar
H
H
Gillams
A
A
Lees
W
W
Baum
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color