A preliminary study on the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and micro-flow imaging for detecting blood flow signals in breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND

The distribution and morphology of mass microvessels could affect the diagnostic accuracy of breast cancer (BC). The aim of our study was to compare the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and micro-flow imaging (CEUS-MFI), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) in the assessment of mass microvasculature.

METHODS

A total of 106 patients with 106 breast masses categorized as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4 were enrolled in our prospective study. CEUS-MFI, CEUS and conventional CDFI were used to estimate the microvascular morphology and distribution types of breast lesions, respectively. Pathological results were considered the gold standard.

RESULTS

CEUS-MFI technique applied in microvascular morphology and distribution types resulted in a higher resolution in breast lesions than the CEUS and CDFI techniques. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CEUS-MFI were 94.4%, 85.3%, and 91.5%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CEUS were 88.9%, 82.4%, and 86.8%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the CDFI were 61.1%, 76.5% and 66.0%, respectively. There were significant differences in accuracy between the CEUS-MFI and CEUS (P=0.01). There were significant differences in accuracy between the CEUS-MFI and CDFI (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports CEUS-MFI is a new and promising imaging method for visualizing microvasculature in breast masses. CEUS-MFI improves the diagnostic capacity for BC.