The Accuracy of Ultrasound in Diagnosis of Palpable Breast Lumps.
Loading...
Date
2008-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
To find the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of ultrasound in detection of palpable breast
lumps and to correlate the findings of ultrasound with the findings of fine needle aspiration cytology
(FNAC), or histopathology. Ultrasonagraphic evaluation of 100 palpable breast lumps was done in our
institute in the department of radiology. Diagnosis was made considering four features of the lumps i.e.
shape, margins, width: AP ratio and echogenicity. Diagnosis was confirmed by fine needle aspiration
cytology or histopathology.The sensitivity of ultrasound in detection of palpable breast lumps was 95%.
The incidence of breast lumps was highest in the age group of 20-29 years. Lump alone was the presentation
in 78% of the cases. 54% of the lumps were present in outer upper quadrant of the breast. The sensitivity,
specificity and positive predictive value of ultrasound in fibroadenoma of the breast was 81.6%, 94.7%
and 91.2% respectively. The sensitivity for carcinoma of the breast was 65% and for cystic masses it was
92%. The ultrasound features that most reliably characterized breast masses as benign were round or
oval shape (95% were benign), circumscribed margins (86% were benign) and width: AP ratio > 1.4 (87%
were benign). Features that characterised masses as malignant were irregular shape (47% were malignant),
non-circumscribed margins (41% were malignant) and width: AP ratio 1.4 (39% were malignant).Ultrasound
is a useful tool in differentiation of cystic from solid masses of the breast. It is useful in young females and
pregnant women where mammography is not advisable. However its role in diagnosis of carcinoma of the
breast needs further evaluation before it can be used for screening of carcinoma breast.
Description
Keywords
Breast, Lump, Ultrasound
Citation
Singh Kailash, Azad Tariq, Gupta Ghanshyam Dev. The Accuracy of Ultrasound in Diagnosis of Palpable Breast Lumps. JK Science Journal of Medical Education and Research. 2008 Oct-Dec;10(4): 186-188