title: Semi-Quantitative Strain Ratio in the Differential Diagnosis of Breast Masses: Measurements Using One Region-of-Interest.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performances of semi-quantitative strain ratio measured by using one region-of-interest (ROI) on breast US elastography images. Two hundred one breast masses of 165 women (mean age: 47.2 y) were included. Ultrasonography (US) and elastography images of the masses were obtained and prospectively analyzed according to elasticity pattern, strain ratio, and final Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) assessments. Of the 201 breast masses, 127 (63.2%) were benign and 74 (36.8%) were malignant. Elastography pattern and strain ratio (cut-off of 1.44) had significantly higher specificity than gray-scale US, 39.4% and 61.4% versus 29.1%, respectively (all p < 0.05). Area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (Az) was highest for gray-scale US (0.646), without statistical significances, than for elastography pattern (0.596, p = 0.159) or strain ratio (0.625, p = 0.610). Semi-quantitative strain ratio measured from one ROI has comparable diagnostic performances to gray-scale US, which may contribute to more accurate differential diagnosis of breast masses seen on US.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Severance Hospital, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Research Affairs, Biostatistics Collaboration Unit, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Severance Hospital, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Electronic address: ekkim@yuhs.ac.
authors.forename: Eun-Kyung
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001940:Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Breast neoplasm; Elastography; Region-of-interest; Strain ratio; Ultrasonography