Sonograpltic Evaluation of Malignant Breast k Lesions

Abstract

In recent years our knowledge of breast cancer has progressed rapidly resulting in new approaches and techniques, the main goal of theclinician is to differentiate between benign and malignant masses.

Still nowadays the commonest investigation is mammography but due to difficulties in interpretation of mammogram as in delineation of the lesion margin or the size of the tumor when arising in dense breast (special for women ages from 25-35 years) with hazards of _ionizing radiation to these categories young females. So additional modality ultrasonography can play an important role in the detection of a variety of breast lesions especially in young females, pregnant and lactating patients or those with dense breasts.

Improvement's of ultrasound equipment have prompted more recent studies with findings that describe reliable signs for differentiating benign from malignant masses. Spiculation, angular margins, marked hypoechogenicity, shadowing and calcifications are sure signs of malignancy. Marked hypoechogenicity, gentle lobulation, ellipsoid shape and echogenic thin pseudo-capsule are characters of benign lesions.

Combined mammographic ultrasound reading offers the highest diagnostic performance and consequently the most confident diagnosis in patients with mammographically non-calcified breast tumors.