Automated breast volume scanning combined with shear wave elastography for diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To explore the values of automated breast volume scanning (ABVS) combined with shear wave elastography (SWE) in the differential diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancers (HER2+BC). METHODS In this study, 28 patients with TNBC and 32 patients with HER2+BC were enrolled. The characteristics of ABVS and virtual touch quantification (VTQ) in SWE of all patients were reviewed. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out and the receiver operating characteristic curves of ABVS and ABVS+VTQ were drawn. RESULTS In ABVS imaging, the microcalcification, posterior echo, internal echo, shape, and edge had significant difference between TNBC and HER2+BC groups (p<0.05). The regular shape was the independent factor for TNBC (p=0.04, odds ratio [OR]=4.479), and the microcalcification in mass was the independent factor for HER2+BC (p=0.01, OR=2.997). In VTQ imaging, the shear wave velocity (SWV)max, SWVmin, and SWVmean in TNBC group were significantly lower than those in HER2+BC group (p<0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ABVS+VTQ in diagnosing TNBC were higher than those of ABVS alone. CONCLUSIONS ABVS combined with SWE has certain advantages in differentiating TNBC from HER2+BC, which is helpful for the treatment planning and prognosis judgment.

Safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous thermal ablation in treating low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: A pilot and feasibility study

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of thermal ablation in treating low-risk unifocal papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Materials and Methods: Patients with unifocal PTMC were enrolled in this study, and thermal ablations were performed. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was used to estimate the extent of ablation immediately after thermal ablation; complications were recorded. The size and volume of the ablated area and thyroid hormones were measured, and the clinical evaluations were performed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after thermal ablation. From July 2016 to July 2017, the prospective study was conducted involving 107 patients. Thermal ablation was well tolerated without serious complications. Results: Compared with the volume immediately after thermal ablation, the mean volume reduction ratio (VRR) of ablated lesions was 0.457 ± 0.218 (range: 0.040–0.979), 0.837 ± 0.150 (range: 0.259–1), 0.943 ± 0.090 (range: 0.491–1), 0.994–0.012 (range: 0.938–1), and 0.999 ± 0.002 (range: 0.992–1) at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after thermal ablation, respectively. Significant differences in the VRR were found between every two follow-up visits (P < 0.01). Results of patients' thyroid function test before thermal ablation and at 1 month after thermal ablation were normal, and no significant differences were observed (P > 0.05). No tumor regrowth, local recurrence, or distant metastases were detected during follow-up visits. Conclusion: Thermal ablation is a short-term safe and effective method in treating low-risk small PTMCs, which can be considered a potential alternative therapy for patients with PTMC