title: [Contrast enhanced power Doppler and color Doppler ultrasound in breast masses: Efficiency in diagnosis and contributions to differential diagnosis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare ability of detection of vascular structures by utilizing ultrasonographic contrast agent (Levovist) prior to and following power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) and colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) and to determine useful parameters in the differentiation of malignant and benign breast masses by means of verified data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vascularisation characteristics of 38 breast masses (22 malignant, 16 benign) which were confirmed by mammography and B-mode sonography were evaluated by both CDUS and PDUS following and prior to intravenous contrast application. In addition, Vmax and RI values of vascular structures were calculated by Doppler spectral evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Malignant lesions showed more vascularity than benign lesions both with and without contrast enhancement. With both methods, by utilizing contrast agent, central, penetrating and tortuous vascular structures became more significant in malignant lesions when compared with benign lesions. PDUS was able to detect vascular structures better than CDUS; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Presence of peripheral vascularity was not useful in differentiating malignant from benign lesions. Vmax and RI values were higher in malignant lesions and the difference was statistically significant. In both methods, Vmax > 15 cm/sec and RI > 0.80 (CDUS), and RI > 0.70 (PDUS) were accepted as malignancy parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vascular patterns of breast masses as determined with PDUS and CDUS with contrast enhancement and Doppler spectral examinations enabled differentiation of malignant and benign breast lesions. Thus, it is possible to decrease the number of unnecessary surgical interventions.
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylül Universitesi Tip Fakültesi, Radyodiagnostik Anabilim Dali, Izmir.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Algül
authors.forename: Pinar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Balci
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seçil
authors.forename: Tülay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Canda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media