breast elastography

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To review the existing literature regarding the use of elastography to evaluate breast. METHODOLOGY: The data bases PubMed / SciElo were searched with the following keywords: breast ultrasound elastography, acoustic radiation force impulse. RESULTS: In the case of elastography with five-point scale, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 70,1; 93; 77,7 and 90% respectively. In quantitative elastography, the wave velocities greater than 2m/s were found in malignant lesions. The combination of ultrasound elastography and B-mode yielded sensitivity and accuracy of 89,7 and 93,9% respectively. CONCLUSION: Breast elastography appears as an efficient option for differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions and may reduce unnecessary biopsies. The accuracy verified to date has shown that this technique can improve the diagnostic accuracy of breast cancer when used in combination with other techniques, such as B-mode ultrasound and mammography. However, validation of this diagnostic modality still needs further prospective studies with larger numbers of patients.