[Prospective analysis of quantification of contrast media enhanced power Doppler sonography of equivocal breast lesions].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential diagnostic value of quantification of contrast enhanced power Doppler sonography in breast lesions.


METHODS
Before and after bolus application of 300 mg/ml of the contrast agent Levovist (Schering, Germany), 76 randomly selected equivocal breast lesions (37 benign, 39 malignant) underwent power Doppler sonography. The data were acquired with a 7.5 MHz linear array transducer (Sonoline Versa Pro and Sonoline Elegra Plus, Siemens, Germany). Following postprocessing digitalization, color pixel density (CPD) and dynamic contrast enhancement were calculated and compared using different regions of the tumor (entire lesion, center and periphery).


RESULTS
A measurable pixel signal prior to the application of the contrast agent was observed in 12 of 37 benign and in 18 of 39 malignant lesions (32.4 % and 46.2 %, respectively). After administration of the contrast agent, the lesions with measurable signal increased to 20 of 37 (54 %) and 25 of 39 (64.1 %), respectively. No statistically significant difference of dignity-related signal intensity could be verified before or after administration of the contrast agent. Maximum CPD and relative increase in pixel density after contrast medium was appreciably higher in the center of malignant lesions than in corresponding regions of benign lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Quantification of color pixel density is rather nonspecific for the discrimination of equivocal breast lesions and not suitable for clinical routine. Signal detection and quantification of color coded pixels enable comparison of dynamic contrast enhancement.
Pudszuhn
A
A
Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena.
Marx
Ch
Ch
Malich
A
A
Fleck
M
M
Schneider
A
A
Kaiser
W A
WA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011134:Polysaccharides; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; C059891:SHU 508