Characterization of Cystic Breast Masses on Ultrasound: Comparative Study among Conventional, Tissue Harmonic, Compound, and a Combination of Tissue Harmonic and Compound Imaging.
- Author:
Ji Yung CHOO
1
;
Bo Kyoung SEO
;
Ann YI
;
Hee Young KIM
;
Kyu Ran CHO
;
Ok Hee WOO
;
Gil Soo SON
;
Baek Hyun KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Radiology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Korea. seoboky@korea.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Comparative Study ; Original Article
- Keywords:
Breast;
Ultrasound;
Breast cysts;
Ultrasound technology;
Ultrasound comparative study
- MeSH:
Breast;
Breast Cyst;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Prospective Studies;
ROC Curve
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Medical Ultrasound
2010;29(4):271-279
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: This prospective study was to compare the image quality and diagnostic performance of breast cystic masses by conventional and advanced ultrasound (US) techniques including tissue harmonic, compound, and the combination of these techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All 91 patients, collectively having 109 breast cystic masses were scanned using four US techniques (complicated cysts in 36, septated cysts in 33, and complex cysts in 40). Two breast radiologists independently assessed the image quality and possibility of malignancy. Image quality was evaluated in terms of contrast and clarity of the wall and internal echo pattern and then graded on a scale of 1 (poor) to grade 3 (satisfactory). The possibility of malignancy was graded on a scale of 1 (suggestive of benignancy) to 5 (suggestive of malignancy) using US images. The histopathological results and follow-up images were used as the reference standard for the assessment of diagnostic performance. Results were evaluated by Friedman's test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. RESULTS: In terms of image quality, a grade of 3 was significantly more frequent in the three advanced US techniques than conventional US (p < 0.05). For assessment of diagnostic performance, areas under the ROC curves in three advanced techniques were significantly higher than in conventional US (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Advanced US techniques including compound and tissue harmonic US techniques provide a better image quality in breast cystic masses and also improve the diagnostic performance compared with conventional US.
