Systematic ultrasonography in asymptomatic dense breasts

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of ultrasonography in breast cancer screening. 350 Bilateral ultrasound (US) were performed in 350 asymptomatic patients with dense breasts. 7.5, 10 And 13 MHz transducers were used (Esaote Biomedica, Italy). In 185/350 patients, sonograms were normal, abnormalities were seen in 165/350: cysts (117), solid nodules (44) and mixed echogenicity nodules (4). All but two solid lesions were benign. Both malignant lesions were invasive carcinomas, 18 and 11 mm in diameter. In retrospect, they were palpable, but not visible on mammograms. Retroprospective review revealed that 24.7 of cysts and 31% solid nodules could be seen on mammograms. In 4 patients with fibroadenomas, US made a false positive diagnosis of breast cancer. Follow-up was obtained for 6 to 18 months in 45% of patients. Routine supplemental US evaluation for patients with mammographically dense breasts does not appear to significantly contribute to the accuracy of the work-up.