Contribution of Sonoelastography in the Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Breast Masses: A Comparative Analysis on Sonographic BIRADS Classification

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectivity of ultrasonographic elastography in the differentiation of benign and malignant lesions detected on B-mode ultrasonography.
METHODS: The lesions were scored by using B-mode USG with breast imaging-report and data systems (BIRADS) and then sonoelastographic color-coded maps were obtained by elastography in a single session. Sonoelastographic scoring was achieved with a 5-point scoring system. Elasticity scores and strain ratio (SR) values were compared with histopathological findings.
RESULTS: The 133 patients included 132 (99.2%) women and 1 (0.8%) man. Mean age was 40.45±14.8 years.Depending on the pathological findings, 94 (71.2%) lesions were classified as benign and 39 (28.8%) as malignant. Mean SR value was 4.419±1.43, with 5.5 in malignant lesions and 4.3 in benign lesions. At the cut-off value of 4.95 for SR, the sensitivity and specificity of USG in elastographic examination were 81.6% and 78.7%, respectively. A significant correlation was found between the SR value and the BIRADS score calculated on USG (rho=0.86; two-tailed; p<0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the use of sonoelastographic examination following the USG examination with B-mode ultrasonography can be a complementary diagnostic method that increases the specificity of USG