Color Doppler ultrasound and spectral analysis of tumor vessels in the differential diagnosis of solid breast masses.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of color Doppler and spectral analysis of specific tumor vessels in the differentiation of benign from malignant breast masses.

METHODS

Forty-eight patients with solid breast masses were evaluated with color Doppler ultrasound prospectively. When tumor vessels were visualized, spectral analysis was performed and peak systolic and end diastolic Doppler frequency shifts were recorded. Histology was obtained in all but two cases.

RESULTS

In 28 out of 29 malignant lesions tumor vessels were visualized. Thirteen of 19 benign lesions showed no demonstrable flow. The peak systolic Doppler frequency shifts recorded over the vessels of the malignant breast masses were significantly higher than those of the benign breast masses (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In our preliminary series, spectral Doppler analysis of tumor vessels shows promise in differentiating benign from malignant breast masses.