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A novel two-dimensional quantitative shear wave elastography for differentiating malignant from benign breast lesions
Li Tang1, Hui-Xiong Xu2, Xiao-Wan Bo3
1Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine Shanghai 200072, China ; Department of Ultrasound, Fujian Provincial Hospital Fuzhou 350001, China.
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine
|September 18, 2015
Summary
Quantitative shear wave elastography (SWE) using virtual touch tissue imaging quantification (VTIQ) aids in diagnosing breast lesions. This advanced ultrasound technique improves specificity without compromising sensitivity in breast lesion assessment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Diagnostic Ultrasound
- Elastography
Background:
- Breast lesion diagnosis relies on imaging and biopsy.
- Conventional ultrasound (US) has limitations in differentiating benign from malignant lesions.
- Quantitative shear wave elastography (SWE) offers a non-invasive method to assess tissue stiffness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic performance of a novel quantitative SWE technique, virtual touch tissue imaging quantification (VTIQ), for breast lesions.
- To compare the diagnostic accuracy of VTIQ with conventional US BI-RADS assessment.
- To determine the effectiveness of combining VTIQ with US BI-RADS for improved breast lesion characterization.
Main Methods:
- 133 pathologically proven breast lesions in 98 patients were analyzed using conventional US and VTIQ.
- Lesions were categorized using the US Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS).
- Quantitative shear wave velocity (SWV) values (maximum, minimum, mean, median) were measured using VTIQ, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated.
Main Results:
- Malignant lesions (26) exhibited significantly higher SWVs than benign lesions (107) (P < 0.001).
- The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for mean SWV was slightly higher than other SWV metrics.
- A mean SWV cut-off value of 3.68 m/s yielded a sensitivity of 93.3% and specificity of 79.4%.
Conclusions:
- Quantitative SWE (VTIQ) is a valuable tool for differentiating breast lesions.
- Integrating VTIQ with US BI-RADS assessment enhances diagnostic specificity for breast lesions.
- This combined approach maintains high sensitivity while improving the accuracy of breast lesion diagnosis.
