Ultrasound mammography: a comparison with radiographic mammography

The results of 1,029 ultrasound B-scan examinations of the breast using two automated water-path scanners were correlated with histopathology data in 278 patients who had undergone biopsy. Of the 1,029 patients, a subgroup of 709 patients had both ultrasound mammograms (USM) and radiographic mammograms (XRM) obtained. A sensitivity for breast cancer of 69% was found for USM and 74% for XRM on initial independent readings when there was no knowledge of clinical data. These are not statistically different using the McNemar test for paired comparisons. When the USM were reinterpreted with the knowledge of the patient's age, history, physical examination, and, when available, the XRM interpretation, the USM sensitivity for breast cancer was 79%.