Can contrast-enhanced sonography distinguish benign from malignant breast masses?
BACKGROUND
We investigated whether microvascular enhancement on contrast-enhanced sonographic (CEUS) imaging can aid in distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions and correlated these findings with histopathological findings.


METHODS
Fifteen patients with a palpable breast mass were recruited. Following informed consent, 4.8 mL of the microbubble contrast agent SonoVue was injected intravenously. Digital video clips of lesion enhancement were obtained and reviewed by a consultant radiologist who scored each lesion on the following characteristics: homogeneous versus heterogeneous enhancement, the presence or absence of focal defects, well- versus ill-defined margins and vascular morphology score (VMS).


RESULTS
Histologically there were 7 malignant and 8 benign lesions. The calculated sensitivity for CEUS in the diagnosis of malignancy was 100%, with a 37.5% specificity. There was no statistically significant difference in overall mean VMS between the malignant and benign lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of our study have not shown any additional benefit in the use of CEUS over conventional triple assessment. The positive trend seen in the higher mean VMS for the malignant tumors needs further investigation with a larger cohort of patients.
Department of Surgery, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8RF, United Kingdom.
P G
PG
Sorelli
D O
DO
Cosgrove
W E
WE
Svensson
N
N
Zaman
K
K
Satchithananda
N K
NK
Barrett
A K P
AK
Lim
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D045423:Microbubbles; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride