Bezek Can Deniz, Farkas Monika, Schweizer Dieter, Kubik-Huch Rahel A, Goksel Orcun
Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University, 75237, Uppsala, Sweden.
Department of Radiology, Kantonsspital Baden, affiliated Hospital for Research and Teaching of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Zurich, 5404, Baden, Switzerland.
Eur Radiol. 2025 Mar;35(3):1490-1501. doi: 10.1007/s00330-024-11335-w. Epub 2025 Jan 11.
The aim is to assess the feasibility and accuracy of a novel quantitative ultrasound (US) method based on global speed-of-sound (g-SoS) measurement using conventional US machines, for breast density assessment in comparison to mammographic ACR (m-ACR) categories.
In a prospective study, g-SoS was assessed in the upper-outer breast quadrant of 100 women, with 92 of them also having m-ACR assessed by two radiologists across the entire breast. For g-SoS, ultrasonic waves were transmitted from varying transducer locations and the image misalignments between these were then related analytically to breast SoS. To test reproducibility, two consecutive g-SoS acquisitions each were taken at two similar breast locations by the same operator.
Measurements were found highly repeatable, with a mean absolute difference ± standard deviation of 3.16 ± 3.79 m/s. Multiple measurements were combined yielding a single g-SoS estimate per each patient, which strongly correlated to m-ACR categories (Spearman's = 0.773). The g-SoS values for categories A-D were 1459.6 ± 0.74, 1475.6 ± 15.92, 1515.6 ± 27.10, and 1545.7 ± 20.62, with all groups (except A-B) being significantly different from each other. Dense breasts (m-ACR C&D) were classified with 100% specificity at 78% sensitivity, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.931. Extremely dense breasts (m-ACR D) were classified with 100% sensitivity at 77.5% specificity (AUC = 0.906).
Quantitative g-SoS measurement of the breast was shown feasible and repeatable using conventional US machines, with values correlating strongly with m-ACR assessments.
Question Breast density is a strong predictor of risk for breast cancer, which frequently develops in dense tissue regions. Therefore, density assessment calls for refined non-ionizing methods. Findings Quantitative global speed-of-sound (g-SoS) measurement of the breast is shown to be feasible using conventional US machines, repeatable, and able to classify breast density with high accuracy. Clinical relevance Being effective in classifying dense breasts, where mammography has reduced sensitivity, g-SoS can help stratify patients for alternative modalities. Ideal day for mammography or MRI can be determined by monitoring g-SoS. Furthermore, g-SoS can be integrated into personalized risk assessment.
旨在评估一种基于常规超声设备测量整体声速（g-SoS）的新型定量超声（US）方法用于乳腺密度评估的可行性和准确性，并与乳腺X线摄影ACR（m-ACR）类别进行比较。
在一项前瞻性研究中，对100名女性乳腺外上象限进行g-SoS评估，其中92名女性的整个乳腺还由两名放射科医生进行了m-ACR评估。对于g-SoS，超声波从不同的换能器位置发射，然后通过分析这些位置之间的图像错位与乳腺声速相关联。为测试可重复性，同一名操作员在两个相似的乳腺位置各进行了两次连续的g-SoS采集。
发现测量具有高度可重复性，平均绝对差值±标准差为3.16±3.79m/s。将多次测量结果合并，得出每位患者的单个g-SoS估计值，该值与m-ACR类别高度相关（Spearman相关系数=0.773）。A-D类别的g-SoS值分别为1459.6±0.74、1475.6±15.92、1515.6±27.10和1545.7±20.62，所有组（除A-B组外）彼此之间均有显著差异。致密乳腺（m-ACR C&D）的分类灵敏度为78%时特异性为100%，曲线下面积（AUC）为0.931。极度致密乳腺（m-ACR D）的分类灵敏度为100%时特异性为77.5%（AUC=0.906）。
使用常规超声设备进行乳腺g-SoS定量测量显示出可行性和可重复性，其值与m-ACR评估密切相关。
问题乳腺密度是乳腺癌风险的有力预测指标，乳腺癌常发生在致密组织区域。因此，密度评估需要精确的非电离方法。发现使用常规超声设备进行乳腺整体声速（g-SoS）定量测量是可行的、可重复的，并且能够高精度地对乳腺密度进行分类。临床意义在乳腺X线摄影灵敏度降低的致密乳腺分类中有效，g-SoS可帮助对患者进行替代检查方式的分层。通过监测g-SoS可以确定进行乳腺X线摄影或MRI的理想日期。此外，g-SoS可纳入个性化风险评估。
