Sonographic Elastography Improves the Sensitivity and Specificity of Axilla Sampling in Breast Cancer: A Prospective Study

We describe a study to determine whether elastography of axillary lymph nodes (LNs) combined with B-mode ultrasound (US) is capable of differentiating the benign from the metastatic state in patients with breast cancer. B-mode US, elastography and fine-needle aspiration of 90 axillary lymph nodes from 89 female patients with breast cancer are described in this report. Five elastographic patterns were observed as defined by the percentages of high elasticity according to pattern of distribution and degree of hardness of the target LNs. B-mode US and elastography scores were combined to give the final scores. Sensitivity and specificity were 80% and 88%, respectively, for B-mode US alone, 86% and 90% for elastography alone and 84% and 98% for the combined assessment to differentiate the benign from the malignant state. The combination of B-mode US and elastography is capable of identifying metastatic axillary LNs from benign enlargement in patients with breast cancer.     

Implementation of Elastography Score and Strain Ratio in Combination with B-Mode Ultrasound Avoids Unnecessary Biopsies of Breast Lesions

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the combination of B-mode ultrasound, elastography score (ES) and strain ratio (SR) improves diagnostic performance with respect to breast lesions. One hundred thirty lesions were prospectively evaluated by B-mode ultrasound and strain elastography, followed by fine-needle aspiration cytology/biopsy in 117 woman who were scheduled for regular breast BUS. The median ES (4.5 vs. 2.9, p < 0.001) and SR (4.9 vs. 2.3, p < 0.001) were significantly higher for malignant than for benign lesions. A sensitivity of 90.5% and specificity of 93.2% for the ES (cutoff point = 3.8) and a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 87.6% for the SR (cutoff point = 3.5) were obtained. Elastography combined with B-mode ultrasound improved the specificity, accuracy and positive predictive value. Receiver operating characteristic curves yielded a higher value for the combined technique for diagnosis of breast lesions. Routine use of such a diagnostic algorithm could reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies.     

基于跨模态注意力机制特征B型超声与弹性超声融合模块联合诊断乳腺良、恶性肿瘤

目的 设计跨模态注意力机制特征融合模块,观察其用于B型超声与弹性超声联合诊断乳腺良、恶性肿瘤的价值。方法 收集371例接受常规超声检查及超声弹性成像的女性乳腺肿瘤患者、共466处病灶;按3∶1∶1将466组病灶图像分为训练集（n=280）、验证集（n=93）及测试集（n=93）。采用卷积神经网络分支模型分别提取B型超声图像和弹性超声图像特征,之后以基于跨模态注意力机制的多模态特征融合网络进行特征融合,观察其诊断乳腺良、恶性肿瘤的价值。结果 改进后的DenseNet用于B型超声诊断乳腺良、恶性肿瘤的准确率为88.43%,敏感度为88.96%,特异度为87.31%,其效能略优于改进前。基于跨模态注意机制特征融合的B型超声与弹性超声联合诊断乳腺良、恶性肿瘤的准确率为94.23%,敏感度为95.11%,特异度为93.28%,效能优于决策加权融合模型、直接串联融合模型及单模态模型。结论 跨模态注意力机制特征融合模块可在一定程度上提高B型超声与弹性超声联合诊断乳腺良、恶性肿瘤的效能。     

超声弹性成像诊断乳腺局灶性病变价值的初步探讨

目的探讨超声弹性成像对乳腺局灶性病变鉴别诊断的价值。方法应用超声弹性成像对219例患者共290个乳腺结节进行检查，采用5分评分法进行评价。所有患者均行手术经病理证实。结果良性153例共218个结节，恶性66例共72个结节，超声弹性成像诊断恶性病变敏感性为81．9％，特异性为95．0％，准确性为91．7％。结论超声弹性成像有助于乳腺肿瘤良恶性鉴别。     

应用ROC曲线评价超声弹性成像在甲状腺良恶性结节鉴别诊断中的应用价值

目的探讨超声弹性成像在甲状腺良恶性结节鉴别诊断中的应用价值。方法应用超声弹性成像技术对二维超声检查发现的61例81个甲状腺结节的弹性图像进行评分;按术后病理诊断分为良恶性组,行弹性图像对比分析,并绘制受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线),确定诊断界点。结果 61例81个甲状腺结节病理诊断良性66个(良性组),恶性15个(恶性组);良性组弹性图像评分多集中在0～2分(51/66,77.3%),恶性组弹性评分多集中在3～4分(13/15,86.7%),恶性组结节评分明显高于良性组,差异有统计学意义(Z=-3.778,P=0.000)。以弹性评分≥3分为鉴别甲状腺良恶性结节的诊断界点,则诊断灵敏度、特异度及准确性分别为86.7%,81.8%,79.0%;ROC曲线下面积为0.876。结论超声弹性成像有助于对甲状腺良恶性结节进行鉴别诊断,在临床诊断中具有较高的应用价值。     

Elastography Can Effectively Decrease the Number of Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsies in Patients with Calcified Thyroid Nodules

When calcification, frequently found in both benign and malignant nodules, is present in thyroid nodules, non-invasive differentiation with ultrasound becomes challenging. The goal of this study was to evaluate the utility of elastography in differentiating calcified thyroid nodules. Consecutive patients (165 patients with 196 nodules) referred for fine-needle aspiration who had undergone both ultrasound elastography and B-mode examinations were analyzed retrospectively. Calcification was present in 45 benign and 20 malignant nodules. On 65 calcified nodules, elastography had 95% sensitivity, 51.1% specificity, 46.3% positive predictive value and 95.8% negative predictive value in detecting malignancy. Twenty-three of 45 benign calcified nodules were correctly diagnosed with elastography compared with 4 of 45 by B-mode ultrasound. Although it is difficult to differentiate benign and malignant calcified thyroid nodules solely with B-mode ultrasound, elastography has the potential to reduce the number of fine-needle aspiration biopsies performed on calcified nodules.     

Comparison of Strain and Shear Wave Elastography for the Differentiation of Benign From Malignant Breast Lesions,Combined With B-mode Ultrasonography: Qualitative and Quantitative Assessments

Our aim was to compare the diagnostic performance of strain elastography (SE) and shear-wave elastography (SWE), combined with B-mode ultrasonography (US), in breast cancer. For 79 breast lesions that underwent SE and SWE, two radiologists reviewed five data sets (B-mode US, SWE, SE and two combined sets). Qualitative and quantitative elastographic data and Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) categories were recorded. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was evaluated. No significant difference in the AUC between the two elastography methods was noted. After subjective assessment by reviewers, the AUC for the combined sets was improved (SWE, 0.987; SE, 0.982; B-mode US, 0.970; p < 0.05). When SE and SWE were added, 38% and 56% of benign BI-RADS category 4a lesions with a low suspicion of cancer were downgraded without false-negative results, respectively. SE and SWE performed similarly. Therefore, addition of SE or SWE improved the diagnostic performance of B-mode US, potentially reducing unnecessary biopsies.     

What Help Could Ultrasound Elastography Give to the Diagnosis of Breast Papillary Lesions?

On the basis of results of our previous studies and the findings of other scholars, the most common histologic type of false-positive diagnosis with strain elastography (SE) was papilloma. The objectives of our study were to evaluate whether SE could contribute to conventional ultrasound differentiation between benign and malignant papillary lesions and between papillary lesions and other common benign breast lesions. Data on 89 papillary lesions at our hospital, including 74 benign and 15 malignant papillary lesions, were included in our study. In addition, 198 non-papillary benign tumors were selected as the control group, including 126 fibroadenomas and 72 cases of fibrocystic mastopathy. All patients gave written informed consent. All patients with breast lesions underwent conventional ultrasound and SE examination. Breast Imaging Recording and Data System (BI-RADS) category and SE score were compared with respect to sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in differentiating between benign and malignant papillary lesions. We then explored the possibility of using BI-RADS combined with SE to differentiate papillary lesions from non-papillary benign tumors. For differentiating between benign and malignant papillary lesions, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of BI-RADS was 0.568, whereas the AUC values of SE score, strain ratio and BI-RADS combined with SE were 0.517, 0.584 and 0.509, respectively (p > 0.05). For differentiating between papillary lesions and non-papillary benign lesions, the AUC of BI-RADS combined with SE was 0.835, which was higher than the values for BI-RADS (0.775) and SE (SE score: 0.648, strain ratio: 0.661) (p < 0.001). The specificity and accuracy of BI-RADS combined with SE were significantly higher than those for BI-RADS alone without a decrease in sensitivity (p < 0.05). SE could not improve the diagnostic efficiency of BI-RADS in differentiating between benign and malignant papillary lesions. However, BI-RADS combined with SE could improve the specificity of BI-RADS without decrease in sensitivity for differentiating breast papillary lesions from non-papillary benign lesions.     

超声弹性分级与应变率比值鉴别诊断甲状腺微小结节

目的 评价超声弹性成像分级与弹性应变率比值法对直径≤1 cm甲状腺微小结节的诊断价值。方法 对手术病理证实的55例患者的72个直径≤1 cm甲状腺结节的超声弹性图像进行分析,弹性分级分为4级,计算甲状腺组织与结节的弹性应变率比值。分别绘制弹性分级法及弹性应变率比值法的ROC曲线,评价其诊断价值。结果 甲状腺良、恶性结节的超声弹性分级及弹性应变率比值差异均有统计学意义(P<0.001)。超声弹性分级及弹性应变率比值判断甲状腺占位性病灶的ROC曲线下面积分别为0.851、0.890(P=0.124)。甲状腺良、恶性小结节弹性应变率比值诊断界值为2.85。结论 超声弹性分级法同弹性应变率比值法均能够有效地鉴别诊断甲状腺微小结节的性质。     

超声弹性成像与常规超声检测肿块面积比在乳腺肿块诊断中的应用

目的探讨超声弹性成像与常规超声面积比对乳腺肿块的诊断价值。方法在常规超声检查的基础上应用超声弹性成像技术对94例乳腺肿块患者进行检查(共计120个肿块),首先观察乳腺肿块的灰阶声像图特征,然后在弹性模式和灰阶超声下测量肿块的面积,计算两者的面积比值,并与病理结果进行对照。以病理结果为金标准分别计算超声弹性成像诊断乳腺恶性肿块的敏感性、特异性及准确性,并绘制ROC曲线计算其曲线下面积。结果 94例患者共120个肿块,其中良性肿块79个,恶性肿块41个。以面积比值≥1.5诊断为恶性肿块,﹤1.5诊断为良性肿块,超声弹性成像诊断乳腺恶性肿块的敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为85.4%、87.3%、86.7%,其诊断乳腺恶性肿块的ROC曲线下面积为0.941。结论超声弹性成像与常规超声面积比对乳腺良恶性肿块的鉴别诊断具有较高的临床应用价值。     

Computer-Aided Diagnosis Based on Quantitative Elastographic Features with Supersonic Shear Wave Imaging

Supersonic shear wave imaging (SSI) has recently been explored as a technique to evaluate tissue elasticity modulus and has become a valuable tool for tumor characterization. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system that can acquire quantitative elastographic information from color SSI elastography images automatically and objectively for the purpose of classifying benign and malignant breast tumors. Conventional ultrasonography (US) and SSI elastography images of 125 breast tumors (81 benign, 44 malignant), in 93 consecutive patients (mean age: 40 y, age range: 16–75 y), were obtained. After reconstruction of tissue elasticity data and automatic segmentation of each breast tumor, 10 quantitative elastographic features of the tumor and peri-tumoral areas, respectively (elasticity modulus mean, maximum and standard deviation, hardness degree and elasticity ratio), were computed and evaluated. A support vector machine (SVM) classifier was used for optimum classification via combination of these features. The B-mode Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) was used to compare gray-scale US and SSI elastography with respect to diagnostic performance. Histopathologic examination was used as the reference standard. Student's t-test, the Mann-Whitney U-test, the point biserial correlation coefficient and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were performed for statistical analysis. As a result, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of benign/malignant classification were 95.2% (119/125), 90.9% (40/44), 97.5% (79/81), 95.2% (40/42) and 95.2% (79/83) for the CAD scheme, respectively, and 79.2% (99/125), 90.9% (40/44), 72.8% (59/81), 64.5% (40/62) and 93.7% (59/63) for BI-RADS assessment, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (A_z value) for the proposed CAD system using the combination of elastographic features was significantly higher than the A_z value for visual assessment by the radiologists using BI-RADS (0.97 vs. 0.91). The results indicate that SSI elastography could be used for computer-aided feature extraction, and the proposed CAD method could improve the diagnostic accuracy of classification of breast tumors to avoid unnecessary biopsy. Furthermore, elastographic features of the peri-tumoral area have the potential to provide critical information in differential diagnosis.     

Real-time elastography--an advanced method of ultrasound: First results in 108 patients with breast lesions.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether real-time elastography, a new, non-invasive method for the diagnosis of breast cancer, improves the differentiation and characterization of benign and malignant breast lesions. METHODS: Real-time elastography was carried out in 108 potential breast tumor patients with cytologically or histologically confirmed focal breast lesions (59 benign, 49 malignant; median age, 53.9 years; range, 16-84 years). Tumor and healthy tissue were differentiated by measurement of elasticity based on the correlation between tissue properties and elasticity modulus. Evaluation was performed using the three-dimensional (3D) finite element method, in which the information is color-coded and superimposed on the B-mode ultrasound image. A second observer evaluated the elastography images, in order to improve the objectivity of the method. The results of B-mode scan and elastography were compared with those of histology and previous sonographic findings. Sensitivities and specificities were calculated, taking histology as the gold standard. RESULTS: B-mode ultrasound had a sensitivity of 91.8% and a specificity of 78%, compared with sensitivities of 77.6% and 79.6% and specificities of 91.5% and 84.7%, respectively, for the two observers evaluating elastography. Agreement between B-mode ultrasound and elastography was good, yielding a weighted kappa of 0.67. CONCLUSIONS: Our initial clinical results suggest that real-time elastography improves the specificity of breast lesion diagnosis and is a promising new approach for the diagnosis of breast cancer. Elastography provides additional information for differentiating malignant BI-RADS (breast imaging reporting and data system) category IV lesions.     

B-Mode Ultrasound Combined with Color Doppler and Strain Elastography in the Diagnosis of Non-mass Breast Lesions: A Prospective Study

Non-mass breast lesions on ultrasound (US) are areas without an associated mass. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether combining B-mode US with color Doppler US and strain elastography (SE) improves US differentiation between benign and malignant non-mass breast lesions and the decision for biopsy. In this prospective study, three different radiologists analyzed the US images of 77 non-mass lesions independently and recorded Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) categories for four data sets. The image characteristics and BI-RADS categories of the four data sets were analyzed by another radiologist. The final diagnosis was made on the basis of pathologic findings. Values for area under the receiver operating curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were compared among the data sets. The AUC of B-mode US combined with both color Doppler US and SE was greater than that of B-mode US alone (0.666 vs. 0.828) (p = 0.011). The specificity of making the decision for biopsy increased from 6.5% to 38.7% when B-mode US was combined with color Doppler and SE, without a statistically significant change in sensitivity (p < 0.001). Combined use of color Doppler and SE could improve the diagnostic value of B-mode US in distinguishing benign from malignant non-mass breast lesions and the specificity of making the decision for biopsy of non-mass breast lesions.     

改良弹性评分标准在乳腺良恶性病灶鉴别诊断中的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨改良弹性评分标准在乳腺良恶性病灶鉴别诊断中的价值.方法 对手术病理证实的394例患者共508个乳腺病灶进行了超声弹性成像检查前瞻性研究,分别采用改良及旧评分标准评分.结果 508个病灶采用改良评分标准均可评分分类.其中82个病灶采用旧评分标准无法评分分类;采用改良及旧评分标准超声弹性成像诊断乳腺良、恶性病灶的准确性分别为88.8%和78.1%.结论 改良超声弹性成像评分标准使用更为简便、准确,有助于减少不必要的穿刺活检.     

改良弹性评分标准在乳腺良恶性病灶鉴别诊断中的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨改良弹性评分标准在乳腺良恶性病灶鉴别诊断中的价值.方法 对手术病理证实的394例患者共508个乳腺病灶进行了超声弹性成像检查前瞻性研究,分别采用改良及旧评分标准评分.结果 508个病灶采用改良评分标准均可评分分类.其中82个病灶采用旧评分标准无法评分分类;采用改良及旧评分标准超声弹性成像诊断乳腺良、恶性病灶的准确性分别为88.8%和78.1%.结论 改良超声弹性成像评分标准使用更为简便、准确,有助于减少不必要的穿刺活检.     

改良弹性评分标准在乳腺良恶性病灶鉴别诊断中的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨改良弹性评分标准在乳腺良恶性病灶鉴别诊断中的价值.方法 对手术病理证实的394例患者共508个乳腺病灶进行了超声弹性成像检查前瞻性研究,分别采用改良及旧评分标准评分.结果 508个病灶采用改良评分标准均可评分分类.其中82个病灶采用旧评分标准无法评分分类;采用改良及旧评分标准超声弹性成像诊断乳腺良、恶性病灶的准确性分别为88.8%和78.1%.结论 改良超声弹性成像评分标准使用更为简便、准确,有助于减少不必要的穿刺活检.     

改良弹性评分标准在乳腺良恶性病灶鉴别诊断中的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨改良弹性评分标准在乳腺良恶性病灶鉴别诊断中的价值.方法 对手术病理证实的394例患者共508个乳腺病灶进行了超声弹性成像检查前瞻性研究,分别采用改良及旧评分标准评分.结果 508个病灶采用改良评分标准均可评分分类.其中82个病灶采用旧评分标准无法评分分类;采用改良及旧评分标准超声弹性成像诊断乳腺良、恶性病灶的准确性分别为88.8%和78.1%.结论 改良超声弹性成像评分标准使用更为简便、准确,有助于减少不必要的穿刺活检.     

改良弹性评分标准在乳腺良恶性病灶鉴别诊断中的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨改良弹性评分标准在乳腺良恶性病灶鉴别诊断中的价值.方法 对手术病理证实的394例患者共508个乳腺病灶进行了超声弹性成像检查前瞻性研究,分别采用改良及旧评分标准评分.结果 508个病灶采用改良评分标准均可评分分类.其中82个病灶采用旧评分标准无法评分分类;采用改良及旧评分标准超声弹性成像诊断乳腺良、恶性病灶的准确性分别为88.8%和78.1%.结论 改良超声弹性成像评分标准使用更为简便、准确,有助于减少不必要的穿刺活检.     

改良弹性评分标准在乳腺良恶性病灶鉴别诊断中的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨改良弹性评分标准在乳腺良恶性病灶鉴别诊断中的价值.方法 对手术病理证实的394例患者共508个乳腺病灶进行了超声弹性成像检查前瞻性研究,分别采用改良及旧评分标准评分.结果 508个病灶采用改良评分标准均可评分分类.其中82个病灶采用旧评分标准无法评分分类;采用改良及旧评分标准超声弹性成像诊断乳腺良、恶性病灶的准确性分别为88.8%和78.1%.结论 改良超声弹性成像评分标准使用更为简便、准确,有助于减少不必要的穿刺活检.     

改良弹性评分标准在乳腺良恶性病灶鉴别诊断中的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨改良弹性评分标准在乳腺良恶性病灶鉴别诊断中的价值.方法 对手术病理证实的394例患者共508个乳腺病灶进行了超声弹性成像检查前瞻性研究,分别采用改良及旧评分标准评分.结果 508个病灶采用改良评分标准均可评分分类.其中82个病灶采用旧评分标准无法评分分类;采用改良及旧评分标准超声弹性成像诊断乳腺良、恶性病灶的准确性分别为88.8%和78.1%.结论 改良超声弹性成像评分标准使用更为简便、准确,有助于减少不必要的穿刺活检.