Comparison of Ultrasound Combined with Elastography,Conventional Ultrasound and Mammography in Diagnosis of Nonpalpable Breast Lesions

Objective To analyze the diagnostic values of conventional ultrasound, mammography and ultrasound combined with elasticity in nonpalpable breast lesions, and to improve the detection rate of early breast cancer. Methods Results of conventional ultrasound, mammography and ultrasound combined with elasticity were analyzed and compared with histopathologic findings in 238 patients with nonpalpable breast lesions(266 lumps, including 79 malignant lumps and 187 benign lumps). Results The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy were, respectively, 79.8%, 75.9% and 77.1% for mammography,77.2%, 86.1% and 83.5% for conventional ultrasound, 82.3%, 87.2% and 85.7% for elastography, and92.4%, 93% and 92.9% for ultrasound combined with elasticity. The ultrasound combined with elasticity had higher sensitivity, specificity and accuracy than conventional ultrasound, mammography and elastography(P 0.05).However,there were no significant differences in the sensitivity among conve-ntional ultrasound, mammography and elastography, as well as in the specificity and accuracy between conventional ultrasound and elastography(P0.05).The specificity and accuracy of conventional ultrasound or elastography were significantly higher than those of mammography(P0.05).Conclusion Ultrasound can be used as the preferred means of examination of mammary gland disease due to noninvasion and high repeatability, sensitivity and specificity. Mammography has significant advantage for finding microcalcification. Elastography can help to improve the accuracy of breast ultrasound examination.Integrated application of ultrasound and elastography is a new method for the assessment of benign and malignant nonpalpable breast lesions and can improve the detection rate of early breast cancer.