[The value of sonography in the pathologic evaluation of solid breast tumors]

Six hundred and twenty patients were examined clinically and by sonography and mammography; 113 tumours were found and a histological diagnosis was attempted on the basis of a previously determined diagnostic protocol. There were 51 solid tumours; 48 were shown by mammography and 46 by sonography. Mammography proved more accurate in diagnosing malignant tumours (72% against 67%), whereas ultrasound was more precise in diagnosing benign tumours. Sonography found ten out of twelve histologically proven axillary lymph node metastases and was better than palpation (seven out of twelve). Mammography and sonography combined increased the accuracy of the pre-operative diagnosis of solid breast tumours. Ultrasound of the axilla should be used routinely in addition to clinical examination in order to detect non palpable lymph node metastases.