Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Breast Lesions in Women and Men

Abstract

Objective: to assess the diagnostic value of contrast enhanced ultrasound examination (CEUS) in the diagnosis of breast lesions in women and men. Methods and materials. We analyzed CEUS reports of 41 patients with breast masses (26 (63,4%) women and 15 (36.6%) men of 24-78 years of age). The results were compared with the data of cytologic and histological examinations. Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of contrast enhancement in benign and malignant lesions were assessed. Results. Accumulation and distribution of US contrast agent in breast carcinoma were characterized with the following features: 66.6% exhibited intense, irregular accumulation of contrast agent, 19% - only peripheral enhancement, 14.4% - marginal enhancement. CEUS in breast carcinoma demonstrated the following quantitative characteristics: time to peak (TTP) - 21.89 ± 1.6 (13.2-26.27); peak intensity (PI) - 21.8 ± 0.8 (18.7-25.34); descending time (DT/2) - 53.67 ± 5.04 (31.86-72.2). The sensitivity of CEUS in detection of breast carcinoma in women was 87.5% with specificity of 90 % and diagnostic accuracy of 88.5%. The sensitivity of CEUS in diagnosis of breast carcinoma in men was 83.3%, specificity - 80%, and diagnostic accuracy - 81.25%. Conclusion. CEUS is an effective additional diagnostic technology, which increases the efficacy of complex US in patients with breast carcinoma. Further analysis of application and methodological aspects of CEUS demand additional studies and accumulation of the data, standardization of the method with introduction of the technology in practical public health services.