OBJECTICE: To compare the use of conventional, real-time compound, and pulse-inversion harmonic imaging in the evaluation of breast nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two breast nodules were included in this study, conducted between May and December 2000, in which conventional, real-time compound, and pulse-inversion harmonic images were obtained in the same plane. Three radiologists, each blinded to the interpretations of the other two, evaluated the findings, characterizing the lesions and ranking the three techniques from grade 1, the worst, to grade 3, the best. Lesion conspicuity was assessed, and lesions were also characterized in terms of their margin, clarity of internal echotexture, and clarity of posterior echo pattern. The three techniques were compared using Friedman's test, and interobserver agreement in image interpretation was assessed by means of the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: With regard to lesion conspicuity, margin, and internal echotexture of the nodules, real-time compound imaging was the best technique (p < 0.05); in terms of posterior echo pattern, the best was pulse-inversion harmonic imaging (p < 0.05). Real-time compound and pulse inversion harmonic imaging were better than conventional sonography in all evaluative aspects. Interobserver agreement was greater than moderate. CONCLUSION: Real-time compound and pulse-inversion harmonic imaging procedures are superior to conventional sonography in terms of both lesion conspicuity and the further characterization of breast nodules. Real-time compound imaging is the best technique for evaluation of the margin and internal echotexture of nodules, while pulse-inversion harmonic imaging is very effective for the evaluation of the posterior echo patterns.
Breast Neoplasms/*ultrasonography ; Comparative Study ; Female ; Fibrocystic Disease of Breast/*ultrasonography ; Human ; Middle Age ; Ultrasonography, Mammary/*methods

Irregular hypoechoic masses in the breast do not always indicate malignancies. Many benign breast diseases present with irregular hypoechoic masses that can mimic carcinoma on ultrasonography. Some of these diseases such as inflammation and trauma-related breast lesions could be suspected from a patient's symptoms and personal history. Careful ultrasonographic examination and biopsy could help to differentiate these from malignancies.
Abscess/ultrasonography ; Breast Diseases/pathology ; Breast Neoplasms/pathology/*ultrasonography ; Carcinoma/pathology/ultrasonography ; Female ; Fibroadenoma/pathology/ultrasonography ; Fibrocystic Breast Disease/pathology/ultrasonography ; Granulomatous Mastitis/pathology/ultrasonography ; Humans ; Ultrasonography, Mammary

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety between mammotome minimally invasive operation and conventional open excision for benign breast tumor. METHODS: A computer-based online search of Medline, PubMed, Embase, Ovid, Cochrane Library, VIP, Wanfang, CNKI and Chinese Biological Medicine Database was performed, and conference references were manually searched. With the Cochrane Collaboration Guidelines, all randomized controlled trials comparing mammotome minimally invasive operation and conventional open excision were systematically reviewed. The Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.0 software was used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies involving 5256 patients was included. Meta-analyses showed no significant difference in the size of tumor, postoperative hematomas, ecchymosis, ecchymoma and residual disease between mammotome minimally invasive operation and conventional open excision. Mammotome minimally invasive operation was superior to open excision as to the size of incision, intraoperative blood loss, surgical duration, healing time, size of scar, wound infection and breast deformation. CONCLUSION Mammotome minimally invasive surgery is an ideal method for benign breast tumor.
Adult ; Breast Diseases ; pathology ; surgery ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Fibrocystic Breast Disease ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; Vacuum ; Young Adult