Can strain elastography is used as an adjunct to conventional imaging in differentiating benign and malignant breast lesions ?

Dr. Vikram Kumar Bajjuri; Dr. Smiti Sripathi; Dr. Rajagopal K.V

Volume : VI, Issue : IV, April - 2016

Can strain elastography is used as an adjunct to conventional imaging in differentiating benign and malignant breast lesions ?

Dr. Vikram Kumar Bajjuri, Dr. Smiti Sripathi, Dr. Rajagopal K. V

Abstract :

Aims and Objectives: • To compare mammography, ultrasound and strain elastography in differentiating solid east lesions into benign and malignant lesions. • To assess the sensitivity, specificity, Positive predicative value(PPV), Negative predictive value(NPV) and Accuracy of ultrasound and combined ultrasound and strain elastography in BIRADS category III and IV lesions. Study design: Mammography, ultrasound and strain elastography were done in 69 lesions(66 patients). Results: The mean strain index value on elastography was 2.49 ± 1.49 for benign and 6.45 ± 2.68 for malignant lesions with a sensitivity and specificity of 89.8% and 75% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV for ultrasound were 94%, 73.68%, 88.4%, 90.38%, 82.35% which improved on adding strain elastography to 96%, 84.21%,92.75%,94.11%, 88.88 % respectively. Sensitivity, Specificity, Accuracy, PPV and NPV were 80%,85.71%,80%,85.71% and 83.33 respectively for combined ultrasound and elastography in category III and IV lesions. Conclusion: • Strain index cut off value of 3.37 enabled the best distinction between benign and malignant lesions on elastography. • Adding strain elastography to ultrasound improved sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and Accuracy when compared to ultrasound or Mammography used alone.