title: Determination of the Elasticity of Breast Tissue during the Menstrual Cycle Using Real-Time Shear Wave Elastography.
abstract: We examined breast tissue elasticity during the menstrual cycle using real-time shear wave elastography (RT-SWE), a recent technique developed for soft tissue imaging. Written informed consent for RT-SWE was obtained from all eligible patients, who were healthy women aged between 19 and 52 y. Young's moduli of the breast tissue in the early follicular, late phase and luteal phase were compared. There were no significant differences in the mean, maximum and minimum elasticity values (Emean, Emax and Emin) and standard deviation (ESD). RT-SWE of glandular tissue revealed that ESD was increased in the early follicular phase compared with the luteal phase. Means ± SD of Emin, Emax and Emean in glandular tissue were 5.174 ± 2.138, 8.308 ± 3.166 and 6.593 ± 2.510, respectively, and in adipose tissue, 3.589 ± 2.083, 6.733 ± 3.522 and 4.857 ± 2.564, respectively. There were no significant differences in stiffness between glandular and adipose tissues throughout the menstrual cycle, but glandular tissue stiffness was lower in the luteal phase than in the early follicular phase. On the basis of these observations in normal healthy women, we believe we have obtained sufficient information to establish the baseline changes in human breast elasticity during the menstrual cycle. In the future, we intend to compare the elasticity values of healthy breast tissue with those of breast tissue affected by various pathologies. Our results reveal the significant potential of RT-SWE in the rapid and non-invasive clinical diagnosis of breast diseases, such as breast cancers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Nan
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Ying
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: Yi-Xia
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China. Electronic address: wangxuemei_lmt@163.com.
authors.forename: Xue-Mei
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001940:Breast; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Breast tissue; Elasticity ratio; Elasticity values; Follicular phase; Luteal phase; Menstrual cycles; Real-time shear wave elastography; Stiffness; Tissue elasticity; Young's modulus