Application of ultrasound characteristics in the accurate prediction of benign versus malignant solid breast nodules

M.Tech.To determine whether a combination of real-time B-Mode ultrasound, Doppler Color flow and Power Doppler flow mapping would be reliable in differentiating benign from malignant breast nodules in an attempt to avoid unnecessary biopsies, where after ultrasound guidelines would be formulated. A quantitative cross-sectional comparative descriptive design in a study population which consisted of 62 women over the age of 35 years who came to Klerksdorp Radiology services for mammography. Both breast ultrasound imaging and mammography was used as a routine procedure as part of the workup for the classification of breast nodules, before histologic specimens were obtained. All nodules were classified according to the ultrasonographic BI-RADS lexicon and compared with the pathologic results. Of the 63 patients, 63 breast nodules were detected and confirmed by biopsy. Thirty seven (59%) nodules were found to be malignant and 26 (41%) were benign according to biopsy results. Mammography had 87% sensitivity and ultrasound 60% sensitivity in detecting malignancy. It is recommended that B-mode, Color Doppler flow and Power Doppler flow mapping be used in combination with mammography for screening as a gold standard