Complementary sonographic procedures in the diagnosis of breast nodules

The aim of the study was to determine the value of some B-mode US-image parameters combined with qualitative and quantitative Doppler studies in differentiation of benign and malignant breast palpable nodules. 48 patients with 51 breast nodules (26 cancers and 25 benign pathologies) underwent US examination using 7,5-10 MHz linear probe. We evaluated the size of lesion, the presence of calcifications and visible inside vessels, number of vessels and RImax value. The significant discriminating properties of five tests (among all studied) were found and criteria of malignancy were established as positive for: the presence of calcifications, the presence and number of more than two vessels inside the nodule, the value of RI> 0,75 and age of patient (> 48 years). The number of positive test results correlated with the presence of malignancy, while the number of negative test results- with the benign nature of breast nodule.