Role of grey scale ultrasound in benign and malignant breast lesions

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.

Eighty-five 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.