Value of ultrasonic S-Detect technique in diagnosis of breast masses / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the value of ultrasound S-Detect in the diagnosis of breast masses.@*METHODS@#A total of 85 breast masses in 62 female patients were diagnosed by S-Detect technique and conventional ultrasound. The diagnostic efficacy of conventional ultrasound and S-Detect technique was analyzed and compared with postoperative pathological results as the gold standard.@*RESULTS@#When operated by junior physicians, the diagnostic efficacy of conventional ultrasound was significantly lower than that of S-Detect technique (P < 0.05), but this difference was not observed in moderately experienced and senior physicians (P>0.05). S-Detect technique was positively correlated with the diagnostic results of senior physicians (r=0.97). Using S-Detect technique, the diagnostic efficacy did not differ significantly between the long axis section and its vertical section (P>0.05). Routine ultrasound showed a better diagnostic efficacy than S-Detect for breast masses with a diameter below 20 mm (P < 0.05), but for larger breast masses, its diagnostic efficacy was significantly lower than that of SDetect (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#S-Detect can be used in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast masses, and its diagnostic efficiency can be comparable with that of BI-RADS classification for moderately experienced and senior physicians, but its diagnostic efficacy can be low for breast masses less than 20 mm in diameter.

Design and implementation for portable ultrasound-aided breast cancer screening system / 生物医学工程学杂志

Early screening is an important means to reduce breast cancer mortality. In order to solve the problem of low breast cancer screening rates caused by limited medical resources in remote and impoverished areas, this paper designs a breast cancer screening system aided with portable ultrasound Clarius. The system automatically segments the tumor area of the B-ultrasound image on the mobile terminal and uses the ultrasound radio frequency data on the cloud server to automatically classify the benign and malignant tumors. Experimental results in this study show that the accuracy of breast tumor segmentation reaches 98%, and the accuracy of benign and malignant classification reaches 82%, and the system is accurate and reliable. The system is easy to set up and operate, which is convenient for patients in remote and poor areas to carry out early breast cancer screening. It is beneficial to objectively diagnose disease, and it is the first time for the domestic breast cancer auxiliary screening system on the mobile terminal.

Útilidad de la ecografía intraoperatoria en la exéresis de las lesiones no palpables de la mama: experiencia y revisión de conjunto / Usefulness of intraoperative ultrasound in excision of non-lesions palpable of the breast: experience and overview

RESUMEN OBJETIVO: Presentar la experiencia de la unidad de mama de nuestro hospital con la utilización de la ecografía intraoperatoria en el tratamiento de las lesiones no palpables de mama. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Se incluyeron aquellas pacientes con lesiones no palpables de mama y ecovisibles. Intraoperatoriamente se localizó la lesión con la ecografía y se procedió a su exéresis, con comprobación ecográfica de su correcta extirpación con márgenes de seguridad. Se realizó estudio macroscópico en fresco de los márgenes marcados con tinta intraoperatoriamente. En caso de que los márgenes no fueran correctos se procedía a una ampliación de márgenes en el mismo acto quirúrgico. RESULTADOS: Desde el año 2012 se han intervenido 52 pacientes. En todas las pacientes se localizó la lesión con la ecografía. Se realizó tumorectomía a 24 pacientes y a 28 pacientes se les asoció la biopsia del ganglio centinela. El resultado patológico definitivo fue de 19 lesiones benignas y 33 lesiones malignas. A una paciente se le realizó mastectomía simple por presentar un carcinoma in situ extenso con microinfiltración no diagnosticado con las pruebas radiológicas preoperatorias. El resto de pacientes presentaron márgenes libres de tumor. CONCLUSIONES: La ecografía intraoperatoria es una técnica simple y fácil de desarrollar. Presenta una baja tasa de afectación de márgenes y es enteramente cirujano-controlada. Es confortable para el paciente y conlleva un bajo riesgo de complicaciones relacionadas con la técnica.

ABSTRACT OBJETIVE: To present the results of our hospital's experience with the utilization of intraoperative ultrasound in the treatment of non-palpable breast lesions. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We included those patients whose breast lesions were non-palpable yet simultaneously visible on ultrasound. The lesions were located intraoperatively with ultrasound and were removed with ultrasound verification of the proper security margins. An examination of the intraoperative macroscopic margins with ink was done. In cases with incorrect margins, a re-excision was done utilizing the same technique but with amplified margins. RESULTS: Dating from 2012, we have operated on 52 patients. In all cases, the lesions were discovered and localized by means of ultrasound. Lumpectomy was performed on 24 patients and we associated the sentinel node biopsy in 28 cases. Subsequent pathology reports determined that 19 lesions were benign and 33 lesions were malignant. There was one patient with a mastectomy because a long extensive ductal carcinoma in situ with microinfiltration that was not seeing during the preoperative study. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative ultrasound is an easy and simple technique that is entirely surgeon controlled and results in a low rate of positive margins. The procedure is comfortable for the patient and carries with it a low rate of complications.

The importance of breast elastography added to the BI-RADS® (5th edition) lexicon classification / A importância da elastografia mamária adicionada à classificação, segundo o léxico BI-RADS® (5ª edição)

SummaryObjective:the aim of this study was to investigate the addition of elastography to the BI-RADS® lexicon for the classification of breast lesions.Methods:a total of 955 consecutive patients who were subjected to breast percutaneous biopsy from January 2010 to December 2012 were retrospectively assessed. Overall, 26 patients who did not present with masses on conventional ultrasound were excluded. The patients were classified according to the fifth edition of the breast imaging and reporting data system (BI-RADS®) lexicon, which includes elastographic findings. The BI-RADS®classification is based on the same classification principles that have been suggested by the author, which classify lesions as soft, intermediate, or hard.Results:the addition of elastographic findings to the BI-RADS® lexicon improved the sensitivity (S), specificity (SP), and diagnostic accuracy (DA) of ultrasound in the assessment of breast lesions, which increased from 93.85, 72.07, and 76.64 to 95.90, 80.65, and 91.39%, respectively.Conclusion:these findings suggest that the addition of elastography to the BIRADS ® lexicon will improve the SP and DA of ultrasound in the screening of breast lesions.

ResumoObjetivo:investigar o impacto da adição da descoberta da elastografia das lesões mamárias à classificação segundo o léxico BI-RADS®.Métodos:estudo retrospectivo com 955 pacientes consecutivas, submetidas à biópsia mamária percutânea no período de janeiro de 2010 a dezembro de 2012. Foram excluídas 26 pacientes que apresentaram lesão não nodular ao ultrassom convencional. As lesões foram classificadas conforme proposta da 5ª edição do léxico BI-RADS®, que inclui os achados de elastografia. A classificação BI- -RADS® é baseada nos mesmos critérios propostos pelo autor, que classifica as lesões como macias, intermediárias e rígidas.Resultados:a adição dos achados da elastografia ao léxico BI-RADS® melhorou a sensibilidade (S), a especificidade (E) e a acurácia diagnóstica (AD) do ultrassom na avaliação das lesões mamárias, de 93.85, 72.07 e 76.64% para 95.90, 80.65 e 91.39%, respectivamente.Conclusão:os achados sugerem que a adição dos achados da elastografia ao léxico BI-RADS® pode melhorar a S, a E e a AD do ultrassom no rastreamento de lesões mamárias.

Characterization of Breast Lesions: Comparison of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis and Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic performance of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and conventional breast ultrasound (US) to characterize breast lesions as benign or malignant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 332 women, presenting for screening examinations or for breast biopsy between March and June 2012 were recruited to undergo digital mammography (DM), DBT, and breast US examination. Among them, 113 patients with 119 breast lesions depicted on DM were finally included. Three blinded radiologists performed an enriched reader study and reviewed the DBT and US images. Each reader analyzed the lesions in random order, assigned Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) descriptors, rated the images for the likelihood of malignancy (%) and made a BI-RADS final assessment. Diagnostic accuracy, as assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity of DBT and US were compared. RESULTS: Among the 119 breast lesions depicted on DM, 75 were malignant and the remaining 44 were benign. The average diagnostic performance for characterizing breast lesions as benign or malignant in terms of area under the curve was 0.899 for DBT and 0.914 for US (p = 0.394). Mean sensitivity (97.3% vs. 98.7%, p = 0.508) and specificity (44.7% vs. 39.4%, p = 0.360) were also not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Digital breast tomosynthesis may provide similar reader lesion characterization performance to that of US for breast lesions depicted on DM.

Can Doppler or contrast-enhanced ultrasound analysis add diagnostically important information about the nature of breast lesions?

OBJECTIVES: Despite evidence suggesting that Doppler ultrasonography can help to differentiate between benign and malignant breast lesions, it is rarely applied in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to determine whether certain vascular features of breast masses observed by duplex Doppler and color Doppler ultrasonography (before and/or after microbubble contrast injection) add information to the gray-scale analysis and support the Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification. METHODS: Seventy solid lesions were prospectively evaluated with gray-scale ultrasonography, color Doppler ultrasonography, and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. The morphological analysis and lesion vascularity were correlated with the histological results. RESULTS: Percutaneous core biopsies revealed that 25/70 (17.5%) lesions were malignant, while 45 were benign. Hypervascular lesions with tortuous and central vessels, a resistive index (RI)≥0.73 before contrast injection, and an RI≥0.75 after contrast injection were significantly predictive of malignancy (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The combination of gray-scale ultrasonography data with unenhanced or enhanced duplex Doppler and color Doppler US data can provide diagnostically useful information. These techniques can be easily implemented because Doppler devices are already present in most health centers. .

The Study of Different Presentations of Breast Lumps in Radiographic Imaging.

Introduction: Breast USG is an established and accurate tool for the primary evaluation of breast lumps and pathology. It also compliments X- ray mammography in further evaluation and characterization of breast masses and thus avoids surgeries in benign breast diseases and pathology. Method: For USG examination of the breast lumps, a linear-array transducer of 5-7 MHz frequency is required with a good resolution machine. Results: We present a pictorial essay on the role of USG in evaluation and characterization of various breast lumps and pathology. Conclusion: Breast sonography considerably improves the visualization and evaluation of lumps in mammographically radiodense breasts and helpful in the characterization of it, either as solid or cystic lesion. It also improves the specifi city of X-ray mammography when used as an adjunct to it. It is also helpful in guiding FNAC/biopsy from the breast masses.

Radiologists' Performance for Detecting Lesions and the Interobserver Variability of Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound

OBJECTIVE: To compare the detection performance of the automated whole breast ultrasound (AWUS) with that of the hand-held breast ultrasound (HHUS) and to evaluate the interobserver variability in the interpretation of the AWUS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AWUS was performed in 38 breast cancer patients. A total of 66 lesions were included: 38 breast cancers, 12 additional malignancies and 16 benign lesions. Three breast radiologists independently reviewed the AWUS data and analyzed the breast lesions according to the BI-RADS classification. RESULTS: The detection rate of malignancies was 98.0% for HHUS and 90.0%, 88.0% and 96.0% for the three readers of the AWUS. The sensitivity and the specificity were 98.0% and 62.5% in HHUS, 90.0% and 87.5% for reader 1, 88.0% and 81.3% for reader 2, and 96.0% and 93.8% for reader 3, in AWUS. There was no significant difference in the radiologists' detection performance, sensitivity and specificity (p > 0.05) between the two modalities. The interobserver agreement was fair to good for the ultrasonographic features, categorization, size, and the location of breast masses. CONCLUSION: AWUS is thought to be useful for detecting breast lesions. In comparison with HHUS, AWUS shows no significant difference in the detection rate, sensitivity and the specificity, with high degrees of interobserver agreement.

Band-Like Interposing Fat along Large Vessels: Ultrasonographic Pseudolesions of the Breast

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics and ultrasonographic findings of band-like interposing fat as well as to identify additional approaches for its diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 26 confirmed cases of band-like interposing fat from June 2008 to June 2010. A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and ultrasonographic findings in these cases. Five radiologists analyzed the ultrasonographic findings, which correlated with the mammographic and MRI findings when available, according to Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System classification. RESULTS: None of the 26 patients had any symptoms. In 92.3% of the patients, the lesion was located in the upper outer quadrant of the breast. The mean distance of the lesion from the nipple was 2.4 +/- 0.7 cm (1.1-4.5). The mean depth of the lesion from the skin was 1.3 +/- 0.3 cm (0.8-2.1). The mean maximal length of the lesion was 0.8 +/- 0.4 cm (0.3-1.8). The following were the most frequent ultrasonographic findings of lesions: irregular shape, not parallel orientation, indistinct margins, abrupt interface, hypoechogenicity, no posterior feature, no calcification, and presence of vascularity. The most frequent BI-RADS category was 4a. There were no suspicious findings on the mammography or MRI. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographic findings may lead to misclassification of band-like interposing fat as a malignancy. A better understanding of the clinical and ultrasonographic characteristics of band-like interposing fat would facilitate its differentiation from a true mass.

Isolated Post-Transplantation Lymphoproliferative Disease Involving the Breast and Axilla as Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma

Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases that represent serious complications following immunosuppressive therapy for solid organ or hematopoietic-cell recipients. In contrast to B-cell PTLD, T-cell PTLD is less frequent and is not usually associated with Epstein Barr Virus infection. Moreover, to our knowledge, isolated T-cell PTLD involving the breast is extremely rare and this condition has never been reported previously in the literature. Herein, we report a rare case of isolated T-cell PTLD of the breast that occurred after a patient had been treated for allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation due to acute myeloblastic leukemia.

Ultrassonografia no rastreamento do câncer de mama / Ultrasonography in breast cancer screening

A ultrassonografia de mama é largamente utilizada na pratica clínica em pacientes com alterações detectáveis ao exame físico ou à mamografia. Na presença de lesões mamográficas, a ultrassonografia auxilia não só a caracterização e a realização de biópsias, como também é capaz de identificar lesões adicionais em 14% das mulheres com mamas densas. Entretanto, o rastreamento de mulheres com exame físico e mamografia normal é uma questão controversa na literatura. Alguns autores sugerem que a ultrassonografia pode ser uma ferramenta útil, principalmente para as mulheres com mamas densas ou com alto risco de câncer de mama, por ser capaz de diagnosticar alguns tumores não identificados de outra forma. Entretanto, o rastreamento do câncer de mama com adição de ultrassonografia à mamografia eleva os custos e gera grande número de exames falsos positivos, levando a procedimentos desnecessários. Algumas técnicas aplicadas à ultrassonografia podem melhorar sua especificidade, diminuindo os casos falsos positivos. Essas ferramentas são o uso de harmônica, Doppler, agentes de contraste ultrassonográficos, ultrassonografia tridimensional, ultrassonografia automatizada e elastografia mamária.(AU)

Breast ultrasound is widely used in clinical practice in patients with abnormalities on physical examination or mammography. In the presence of mammographic lesions, ultrasonography helps not only in its characterization and as biopsy guidance, but also identifies additional lesions in 14% of women with dense breasts. However, screening of women with normal physical examination and mammography is a controversial issue in literature. Some authors suggest that ultrasonography might be a useful tool, especially for women with dense breasts or at high risk of breast cancer, making it possible to diagnose some tumors not otherwise identified. However, the addition of ultrasound to mammography for breast cancer screening increases costs and generates a large number of false positives, leading to unnecessary procedures. Some techniques applied to ultrasound may improve its specificity, reducing false-positive cases. These tools are the use of harmonic, Doppler, ultrasound contrast agents, three-dimensional ultrasound, automated ultrasound and breast elastography.(AU)

Breast ultrasound diagnostic performance and outcomes for mass lesions using Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category 0 mammogram

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes and diagnostic performance of ultrasonography after a Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (Bi-RADS) category 0 mammogram. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 4,384 consecutive patients who underwent a screening mammography from January 2005 to July 2006; 391 of the 4,384 exams were classified as Bi-RADS category 0. After exclusions, 241 patients received subsequent sonogram. Ultrasonography was considered diagnostic when the Bi-RADS category was changed to 2, 4, or 5, and it was considered indeterminate (Bi-RADS 3) when the results indicated that the patients should return for a mammographic follow-up. The outcomes of these patients were assessed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 53.3 years (ranging from 35 to 81). Of the 241 patients, ultrasonography was considered diagnostic in 146 (60.6 percent) patients and indeterminate in 95 (39.4 percent) patients. In the diagnostic group, 111 out of 146 patients (70.2 percent) had a sonogram result of Bi-RADS category 2 after a 2-year follow-up without evidence of malignancy. Furthermore, 35 out of 146 patients (29.8 percent) had a suspicious sonogram with a result of Bi-RADS category 4. After a tissue sampling procedure, 10 patients were confirmed to have breast cancer, and 25 had benign histopathological features without any evidence of malignancy after a 2-year follow-up. The sensitivity of ultrasonography was 100 percent, specificity was 89.1 percent, and overall accuracy was 89.6 percent. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the degree of resolution and its diagnostic performance, ultrasonography was determined to be an excellent method for the subsequent evaluation of Bi-RADS 0 mammograms.

O uso da difusão por ressonância magnética na diferenciação das lesões mamárias benignas e malignas / The use of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the differentiation between benign and malignant breast lesions

OBJETIVO: Estudar a utilidade da sequência pesada em difusão na diferenciação das lesões mamárias benignas e malignas. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Quarenta e cinco mulheres (idade média de 46,1 anos) com 52 nódulos de mama foram submetidas a ressonância magnética acrescida da sequência difusão. O coeficiente de difusão aparente (ADC) foi calculado através do mapa de ADC obtido pelo uso de cinco valores de b (0, 250, 500, 750 e 1.000 s/mm²). O valor de ADC médio de cada lesão foi correlacionado com achados de imagem e resultados histopatológicos. Valores de ADC de corte, sensibilidade e especificidade da sequência difusão na diferenciação das lesões benignas e malignas foram calculados. P < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. RESULTADOS: O valor de ADC médio foi significativamente menor para as lesões malignas (0,92 ± 0,26 × 10-3 mm²/s) comparado com as lesões benignas (1,50 ± 0,34 × 10-3 mm²/s) (p < 0,0001). A sequência difusão mostrou altas sensibilidade e especificidade (ambas 92,3 por cento) na diferenciação entre lesões benignas e malignas. CONCLUSÃO: A sequência pesada em difusão representa um recurso potencial como coadjuvante da ressonância magnética das mamas na diferenciação das lesões benignas e malignas. Tal sequência pode ser facilmente inserida no protocolo padrão da ressonância magnética das mamas, sem aumento significativo no tempo de exame.

OBJECTIVE: To study the utility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the differentiation between benign and malignant breast lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five women (mean age, 46.1 years) with 52 focal breast lesions underwent diffusionweighted magnetic resonance imaging. The calculation of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was based on the ADC map reflecting five b values (0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 s/mm²). The mean ADC value of each lesion was correlated with imaging findings and histopathologic results. Cutoff ADC, sensitivity and specificity of diffusion-weighted imaging in the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions were calculated. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean ADC was significantly lower for malignant lesions (0.92 ± 0.26 × 10-3 mm²/s) as compared with benign lesions (1.50 ± 0.34 × 10-3 mm²/s) (P < 0.0001). Diffusion-weighted imaging showed high sensitivity and specificity (both, 92.3 percent) in the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions. CONCLUSION: Diffusion-weighted imaging is a potential resource as an adjuvant to breast magnetic resonance imaging to differentiate benign from malignant lesions. Such sequence can be easily added to the standard breast magnetic resonance imaging protocol, without implying any significant increase in examination time.

Acurácia dos achados ultrassonográficos do câncer de mama: correlação da classificação BI-RADS® e achados histológicos / Accuracy of sonographic findings in breast cancer: correlation between BI-RADS® categories and histological findings

OBJETIVO: O objetivo geral do estudo é avaliar a acurácia da ultrassonografia (BI-RADS) no diagnóstico do câncer de mama, e os objetivos específicos, descrever a frequência de apresentação dos diferentes achados ultrassonográficos e a avaliação da concordância entre observadores. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Exames de 110 pacientes encaminhados para biópsia, com diagnóstico prévio de nódulos, foram reanalisados independentemente por dois médicos especialistas utilizando a nomenclatura do BI-RADS. Os achados histológicos foram utilizados como padrão-ouro. A acurácia dos achados foi determinada. As diferenças nos grupos de comparação foram analisadas com teste qui-quadrado para variáveis categóricas e a concordância entre os médicos foi calculada por meio da estatística kappa (κ). RESULTADOS: Cento e dez massas mamárias foram avaliadas pelo ultrassom, sendo que 76 (69 por cento) foram benignas e 34 (30,9 por cento), malignas. Foram observados, entre os radiologistas, sensibilidade variando entre 70,5 por cento e 82,3 por cento, valor preditivo negativo entre 81,1 por cento e 87,5 por cento, valor preditivo positivo entre 42,1 por cento e 45,1 por cento, especificidade entre 56,58 por cento e 55,2 por cento e acurácia entre 60,9 por cento e 63,6 por cento. Na avaliação entre observadores foi obtida concordância global considerada moderada (κ= 0,50). CONCLUSÃO: O BI-RADS 4ª edição é um acurado sistema para auxiliar os médicos na descrição das lesões mamárias e na tomada de condutas.

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of the present study is to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography (BI-RADS) in the diagnosis of breast cancer whereas the additional specific objectives are to describe the frequency of different sonographic findings and evaluating interobserver agreement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Images of 110 patients who had been referred for biopsy with previous diagnosis of breast nodules were independently reviewed by two specialists according to the BI-RADS classification. Histological findings were utilized as a gold-standard. The accuracy of findings was determined. The chi-squared test for categorical variables was utilized in the analysis of the differences resulting from the groups comparison, and the interobserver agreement was calculated with kappa () statistics. RESULTS: Among 110 breast masses evaluated by ultrasonography, 76 (69 percent) were benign and 34 (30.9 percent) were malignant. According to the radiologists, the sensitivity ranged from 70.5 percent to 82.3 percent, negative predictive value, from 81.1 percent to 87.5 percent, positive predictive value, from 42.1 percent to 45.1 percent, specificity from 56.58 percent to 55.2 percent, and accuracy from 60.9 percent to 63.6 percent. The global interobserver agreement was considered as moderate ( = 0.50). CONCLUSION: The fourth edition of BI-RADS provides radiologists with an accurate clinical decision support system for the diagnosis and management of breast disease.

Proposta de sistematização do estudo elastográfico de lesões mamárias pela ultrassonografia / Proposal for the systematization of the elastographic study of mammary lesions through ultrasound scan

OBJETIVO: Propor uma sistematização do estudo elastográfico para emprego na rotina ultrassonográfica. MÉTODOS: Avaliação de 308 pacientes encaminhadas ao serviço de intervenção mamária do CTC-Gênese no período de 1 de maio de 2007 a 1 de março de 2008 para a realização de biópsia mamária percutânea. Antes da realização da biópsia percutânea foi realizado o estudo ultrassonográfico e a elastografia. As lesões foram primeiramente analisadas e classificadas conforme o léxico Bi-Rads pelo ultrassom convencional (modo B). Posteriormente, a elastografia foi realizada e analisada conforme sistematização proposta pelos autores, por meio das imagens obtidas durante a compressão e após a descompressão da área de interesse. As lesões foram classificadas conforme escores criados pelos autores: os escores 1 e 2 foram considerados benignos, o escore 3 como provavelmente benigno e o 4 como suspeito para malignidade. Foram comparados os resultados obtidos entre os dois métodos com os resultados histológicos utilizando as áreas dentro das curvas ROC (curvas operadores dependentes). RESULTADOS: A área dentro da curva para a elastografia foi de 0.952 com intervalo de confidência entre 0.910 e 0.966, erro de 0.023, e de 0.867 com intervalo de confidência entre 0.823 e 0.903, erro de 0.0333, para o ultrassom. Quando comparadas as áreas observou-se diferença entre as curvas de 0.026, estatisticamente significativa. CONCLUSÃO: Este trabalho apresenta uma sistematização do estudo elastográfico utilizando as informações obtidas durante a compressão e após a descompressão da amostra ultrassonográfica, demonstrando que a elastografia pode incrementar a avaliação do risco de malignidade para lesões caracterizadas pelo ultrassom.

OBJECTIVE: Proposal of systematization for the elastographic study in the ultrasound routine. METHODS: Evaluation was made of 308 patients forwarded to the breast intervention service in the CTC-Genesis from May 1, 2007 to March 1, 2008 to perform percutaneous breast biopsy. Prior to the percutaneous biopsy, an ultrasound study and an elastography were performed. Lesions were primarily analyzed and classified according to the Bi-Rads® lexicon criteria by the conventional ultrasound scan (B mode). The elastography was then performed and analyzed in accordance with the systematization proposed by the authors, using images obtained during compression and after decompression of the area of interest. Lesions were classified following the system developed by the authors using a four-point scale, where scores (1) and (2) were considered benign, score (3) probably benign and score (4) suspicion of malignancy. Results obtained by the two methods were compared with the histological results using the areas within the ROC (receiver operator curves) curves. RESULTS: The area within the curve for elastography was of 0.952 with a confidence interval between 0.910 and 0.966, error of 0.023, and of 0.867 with a confidence interval between 0.823 and 0.903, error of 0.0333 for the ultrasound. When the areas were compared, a difference between the curves of 0.026 was observed, which was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This work shows the systematization of the elastographic study using information obtained during compression and after decompression of the ultrasound scan sample, thus showing that elastography might enhance the assessment of risk of malignancy for lesions characterized by the ultrasound.

Concordância entre o exame ultra-sonográfico e o laudo anatomopatológico no diagnóstico de lesões mamárias sólidas / Breast biopsy histopathologic results and breast ultrasonography findings agreement in solid masses diagnosis

O ultra-som de mama é um exame complementar não-invasivo que vem desempenhando papel importante no diagnóstico das doenças mamárias. Por meio das características de uma imagem ultra-sonográfica, pode-se predizer malignidade ou benegnidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar, no meio médico, quais são as características ultra-sonográficas que estão mais associadas à malignidade. Pesquisou-se 105 casos de tumores sólidos identificados ao ultra-som de mama no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2005. As variáveis ultra-sonográficas analisadas foram: forma, contorno, limite, ecogenicidade, ecotextura, somra acústica posterior, reforço acústico posterior, relação largura/comprimento da lesão e conclusão do ultra-som. Em seguida, realizou-se a investigação anatomopatológica dos tumores. Entre as características ultra-sonográficas, a irregularidade das margens (p = 0,001) e o contorno mal definido (p = 0,011) foram as que mais se associaram à malignidade. A conclusão do ultra-som, quando presente, também correlacionou-se com o laudo anotomopatológico (p < 0,001). As demais variáveis, por serem pouco descritas, não puderam ser avaliadas quanto à sua malignidade. No meio médico, o estudo das margens e do contorno dos tumores sólidos são as características mais determinantes no diagnóstico ultra-sonográfico de malignidade. Laudos imcompletos e inconclusivos são fatores limitantes no valor do diagnóstico deste método de estudo.

Breast ultrasonography is a non-invasive complementary exam that has been performing an important role in the diagnosis of mammary illness. Through the characteristics of an ultrasonographic image, we can predict malignity or benignity. The object of this research was to identify, in our field, which ultrasonographic characteristics are most commonly associated with malignity. We researched 105 cases of solid turmors identified by mammary ultrasonography in the period of January to December 2005. The various ultrasound characteristics analyzed were: shape, wall contour, margin, echogenicidity, echotexture, posterior acustic shadow, posterior acustic reinforcement, relation width/length of lesion and conclusionof ultrasound. Immediately, we carried out a pathological anatomy investigation of the tumor. Among the ultrasound characteristics, the irregularity of margins (p = 0.001) and badly defined wall contour (9 = 0.011) were the most associated with malignity. The ultrasonography conclusion, when present, also correlated with the pathological anatomy findings (p < 0.001). The other variables, being little descript, could not be evaluated as for their association with malignity. In our field, the study of margin and wall contour of the solid tumors are the most determind characteristics in ultrasound diagnosis of malignity. Incomplete and inconclusive findings are limiting factors in the diagnostic value of this type of study.

Immersion Ultrasonography of Excised Nonpalpable Breast Lesion Specimens after Ultrasound-Guided Needle Localization

OBJECTIVE: Ultrasound-guided needle localization has been used prior to the surgical excision of nonpalpable breast lesions. The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of the use of a saline immersion specimen ultrasound technique (immersion-US) to confirm the successful removal of breast lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The devised immersion-US technique was used to examine the excised tissues of 72 ultrasound-guided needle localized breast lesions of 58 patients (34 benign lesions, 30 high-risk lesions and 8 malignant lesions). Freshly excised specimens were placed in a container filled with saline and one radiologist scanned the surgically excised specimens using a high-frequency linear transducer. We evaluated successful lesion removal and the qualities of the immersion-US images. Miss rates were determined by the use of postoperative ultrasound during follow-up. RESULTS: All 72 lesions were identified by the use of immersion-US and satisfactory or excellent quality images were obtained for most lesions (70/72, 97%). Five (7%) lesions were initially identified as incompletely excised, based on the immersion-US findings, and prompt re-excision was undertaken. Follow-up ultrasound examinations showed no residual mass in the surgical field in any patient. CONCLUSION: The immersion-US technique was found straightforward and efficient to perform. Immersion-US was able to determine whether nonpalpable breast lesions had been successfully excised after ultrasound-guided needle localization.

The Safety and Efficiency of the Ultrasound-guided Large Needle Core Biopsy of Axilla Lymph Nodes

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficiency of the Ultrasound (US)-guided large needle core biopsy of axilla lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2004 to September 2005, 31 patients underwent the US-guided core biopsy for axilla lymph nodes. Twenty five lesions out of 31 were detected during breast US, and 6 of 31 cases were palpable. Lymph nodes were classified based on their shape and cortical morphology. The core biopsy of axilla lymph nodes was performed on suspicious lymph nodes found during breast ultrasonography to find out whether the patients had a history of breast cancer or not. Among the 31 patients, 16 patients were associated with breast cancer. The lesion sizes varied from 0.6cm to 3.3cm (mean = 1.59 +/- 0.76cm). US-guided core biopsies were performed with 14G needles with an automated biopsy gun. Total 3 or 5 specimens were obtained. RESULTS: Among the 31 cases of axilla lymph nodes core biopsies, 11 cases showed malignant pathology. Seven out of 11 cases were metastatic lymph nodes from breast cancer; 2 cases were from primary unknown and 2 cases from lymphomas. On the other hand, 20 histopathologic results of axilla lesions were benign: subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis (n=2), dermatopathic lymphadenitis (n=1), reactive hyperplasia (n=10) and free of carcinoma (n=7). CONCLUSION: The US-guided large needle core biopsy of axilla lesions is safe and effective for the pathological evaluation. The core biopsy is believed to be easy to perform if suspicious lymph nodes or mass lesions are found in the axilla.