First clinical use of a standardized three-dimensional ultrasound for breast imaging.
OBJECTIVE
The feasibility, image quality, and diagnostic potential of the prototype of an automated ultrasound (US) breast scanner were examined.


METHODS
Ninety-seven patients with suspicious breast lesions had mammograms, manual US, and an automated breast US. The data were evaluated according to the breast imaging reporting and data system (BIRADS) classification, image quality, and amount to diagnostic information. All lesions were confirmed histological.


RESULTS
The image quality of the three-dimensional (3D) data sets was equal to or satisfactory compared with cross-sectional images from manual US in at least 72% of cases (p<0.05). The diagnostic information was equal or superior in at least 63% of cases (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Standardized 3D US scanning is a promising diagnostic adjunct to mammography, but is no substitute for manual US at the current stage of development.
Kotsianos-Hermle
D
D
Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Munich, Maistr. 11, Munich 80337, Germany. dorothea.hermle@med.uni-muenchen.de
Wirth
S
S
Fischer
T
T
Hiltawsky
K M
KM
Reiser
M
M
D000465:Algorithms; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards