RESUMO
To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in diagnosis of benign and malignant disease in correlation with histopathological findings. A comparative study. Diagnostic Radiology Department of PNS Shifa, Karachi, from January 2000 to July 2002. Adult female patients presenting with breast lump were included. Grey-scale ultrasound was done with high frequency probe. Findings were compared with histopathology. The sensitivity and specificity was determined. Eightyfive female patients with positive clinical findings were differentiated into benign [n=45, 52.9%], intermediate [n=15, 17.6%] and malignant [n=25, 29.4%], by ultrasound examination. Only one [2.2%] benign lesion was found malignant on histopathology, 8 [32%] cases of malignant group were benign on histopathology. The sensitivity of ultrasound for malignant lesion was 95.24% and specificity was 68.75% for a benign lesion. Our results were compatible with international studies. Ultrasound of breast is very useful in evaluating breast lumps. This modality is, however, not a good screening tool. When combined with clinical evaluation and mammographic studies, a subset of patients can be identified which do not require biopsy. This will not only save the cost but will also alley the anxiety of patients