Prospective evaluation of the value of negative sonographic and mammographic findings in patients with palpable abnormalities of the breast.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the value of combined negative sonographic and mammographic findings in patients with palpable breast abnormalities.

METHODS

One hundred seventy-two patients with 186 palpable abnormalities who had combined negative sonographic and mammographic findings were prospectively studied. Patients who did not undergo biopsy had imaging and clinical follow-up; the mean follow-up period was 28.9 months (range, 24-33 months).

RESULTS

Twelve patients underwent biopsy; benign histologic diagnoses were reported in all 12 (12 [6.9%] of 172). In the remaining 160 patients who were followed, there was no interval development of breast cancer at the site of the palpable abnormality. The negative predictive value of combined negative mammographic and sonographic findings in a patient with a palpable abnormality of the breast was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that in a patient with a palpable abnormality of the breast, the negative predictive value of combined normal sonographic and mammographic findings is very high and is therefore reassuring to the patient.