High resolution sonographic detection of axillary lymph node metastases in breast cancer.

Axillary lymph node status is crucial in the evaluation of prognosis and in treatment planning of breast cancer. High-resolution real-time sonographic scans of the breast and both axillae were performed on 114 patients with breast carcinoma, all of whom had axillary lymph node dissection and histologic assessment. The sensitivity of high-resolution ultrasonography in the detection of axillary nodal metastases was 84.1%, with a specificity of 97.1%, accuracy of 92.1%, positive predictive value of 94.9%, and negative predictive value 90.7%. Ultrasonography of the axilla provides good information on anatomy and pathology and may have a potential role in the prognostic work-up of patients who are not surgical candidates.