Contrast-enhanced breast ultrasonography: imaging features with histopathologic correlation

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Pathology
• Oncology

Background:

• Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) offers dynamic imaging of breast masses.
• Understanding the histopathologic basis of CEUS findings is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To correlate histopathologic features of breast masses with their appearance on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS).

Main Methods:

• 104 patients underwent CEUS after microbubble contrast administration.
• Enhancement patterns (no, peripheral, homogeneous, regional, heterogeneous) were classified.
• Histologic slides were reviewed and correlated with CEUS findings.

Main Results:

• Malignant masses showed heterogeneous enhancement linked to tumor cell clusters and desmoplastic stroma.
• Benign masses exhibited varied enhancement patterns related to cellularity, stroma, or inflammation.
• Specific patterns like homogeneous, regional, and peripheral enhancement were associated with ductal carcinoma in situ, adenosis, or inflammatory conditions.

Conclusions:

• CEUS enhancement patterns in breast masses correlate with specific histopathologic findings.
• This correlation aids in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions.