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Breast lesion characterization with contrast-enhanced US. Work in progress
Giuseppe Caruso1, Raffaele Ienzi, Alessandra Cirino
1Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Legale, Sezione di Scienze Radiologiche Pietro Cignolini, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy. carusogi@libero.it
La Radiologia Medica
|February 18, 2003
Summary
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) analysis of microcirculation in breast lesions shows promise. Plotting intensity/time curves and evaluating areas under the curve can correlate ultrasound findings with histopathology, aiding diagnosis when mammography is inconclusive.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Radiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Breast lesion characterization is crucial for diagnosis.
- Standard ultrasound and mammography have limitations.
- Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) offers novel microcirculation assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize breast lesions using microcirculation features detected with CEUS.
- To evaluate the diagnostic correlation of CEUS with histopathology.
- To assess the utility of CEUS in complementing standard breast imaging.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-six patients with breast lesions underwent ultrasound examinations before and after Levovist contrast administration.
- Intensity/time curves and areas under the curves were analyzed in regions of interest (ROI).
- High mechanical index was used for microbubble disruption and signal detection.
Main Results:
- CEUS did not improve specificity compared to baseline and color Doppler ultrasound.
- Significant correlation between ultrasound and histopathology was achieved by analyzing intensity/time curves and ROI areas.
- 19 benign and 17 malignant lesions were identified, with high histological confirmation rates.
Conclusions:
- Analysis of breast lesions by contrast-enhanced perfusion ultrasound is a promising technique.
- Perfusion ultrasound can usefully complement high-frequency ultrasound, particularly when mammography is inconclusive.
- Further evaluation on a larger scale is warranted to confirm findings.