DOPPLER SONOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF BREAST MASSES

Abstract

Sonography is currently one of the main diagnostic methods for diagnosing breast diseases. Using this technique has become common practice since the introduction of high frequency probes. OBJECTIVES: Differentiate between benign and malignant lesions on the basis or RI and PI value on color Doppler and to compare it with surgical outcome in cases with solid breast mass. STUDY DESIGN: Case series descriptive study. SUBJECTS & METHODS: One hundred patients with breast mass suspected clinically were included in this study. Values of RI from 0.32 to 0.62 considered as benign and malignant lesions were 0.7 to 1 while values of PI from 0.7 to 1.15 considered benign and malignant lesions were assumed from 1.7 to 3.7. RESULTS: Doppler sonography (resistive index) had high sensitivity i.e 94.2% and the high NPV 93.4%. Specificity was found to be 89.5%, high PPV 90.7% and diagnostic accuracy was found to be 92%. Doppler sonography (Pulsatility index) had high sensitivity (identification of malignant lesions; 96.1%) and the high NPV (identification of true negative findings in disease-free patients; 95.5%). Specificity was found to be 89.5%, high PPV 90.9% and diagnostic accuracy was found to be 93%. CONCLUSION: This study proves the efficacy of ultrasound as a method of choice to evaluate breast masses in patients avoiding the need of biopsy.

Keywords: Ultrasound, Doppler, Breast Diseases