Differential diagnostic value of ultrasound elasticity score and strain ratio in breast cancer

This study aimed to evaluate the value variance of ultrasound elasticity score (ES) and strain ratio (SR) in the diagnosis of benign and malignant of breast masses. 302 breast nodules were from 283 patients receiving ultrasonography of the breast. They were divided into two groups according to the mass size: > 10 mm group and <= 10 mm group in the second step. The diagnostic value was compared between ES and SR in these lesions. Results showed that ES and SR were significantly different between patients with benign and malignant masses (P < 0.05), but were similar between patients with benign and malignant microlesions (P > 0.05) In > 10 mm group, there was significant difference between ES and SR in the diagnosis of benign and malignant masses, but no difference was observed in <= 10 mm group. SR has better sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in the diagnosis of breast masses as compared to ES. It is concluded that the strain ratio yielded better results than the elasticity score, especially in > 10 mm group. Ultrasound elastography is an easy and feasible method in the differentiation of benign breast masses from malignant masses and also has a favorable efficiency in the diagnosis of breast microlesions.