Application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of breast lesions

Objective To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the diagnosis of breast lesions. Method Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was performed on 48 patients with breast mass. The infusing characteristic of contrast agent and degree of contrast -enhanced were observed. The dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography images were analyzed with the time-intensity curve software. Results 80.65%(25/31)of the benign mass was light to moderate enhancement and 88.24%(15/17)of the malignant mass was high enhancement. Turn in the curve of benign mass was blunt, but was sharp in the curve of malignant mass. The peak intensity, enhanced intensity and slope of the rising part were lower in the benign group than that in the malignant group (t = 5.89,5.50,6.15,P0.05).The time to peak enhancement, enhanced time and arrived time were longer in the benign group than those in the malignant group (t=4.62,9.14,2.18,P0.05). Conclusions Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography may improve the ability of ultrasound in the differentiation of benign and malignant breast masses.