Breast neoplasms: duplex sonographic imaging as an adjunct in diagnosis

Sonographic breast imaging has been useful in the differentiation of cystic from solid masses. It has also been helpful in the characterization of palpable breast masses in the absence of corresponding abnormalities. The authors undertook a prospective study that incorporated pulsed Doppler analysis into sonographic real-time imaging of solid breast masses. Thirty-eight patients were examined. In 12 of the patients there were positive Doppler signals, while in 26 patients there were no Doppler signals. The 12 patients showing positive Doppler signals proved to have infiltrating ductal carcinoma, while the 26 patients with negative Doppler signals proved to have benign breast disorders. Pulsed Doppler analysis as a supplement to sonographic real-time imaging shows promise for the identification of breast carcinoma.