Stiffness in breast masses with posterior acoustic shadowing: significance of ultrasound real time shear wave elastography

Background To assess the stiffness of benign breast masses in ultrasound images with posterior acoustic shadowing (PAS) and malignant lesions, and explore the significance of differential diagnosis using ultrasound real time shear wave elastography. Material and methods All 117 mammary masses (98 patients) with PAS were assessed by using routine ultrasound examination, and elastic modulus values were obtained with the real time shear wave elastography mode. All breast lesions were confirmed by surgery or biopsy. The significance of differences in ultrasound elastography values between breast benign and malignant masses with posterior acoustic shadowing was assessed, and the ROC curves of elasticity modulus values were analyzed. Results Among the 117 masses, 72 were benign and 45 were malignant. The two types of breast masses showed significant differences in size, margin, internal echo, calcification, and blood flow characteristics (P < 0.05), although the difference in orientation was not significant (P > 0.05). Emean, Emax and Esd obtained with real time shear wave elastography showed statistically significant differences between benign masses with posterior acoustic shadowing and breast cancer (P < 0.05), while Emin showed no significant difference between them (P = 0.633). Ultrasound real time shear wave elastography showed higher sensitivity and specificity than conventional ultrasound. Conclusions Benign and malignant breast masses with PAS show different ultrasound manifestations. Real time shear wave elastography can facilitate the differential diagnosis and treatment planning for these breast masses.