Abstract:

Objective: To analyze the diagnostic value of superb microvascular imaging (SMI) in combination with ultrasonic elastography (UE) and high-frequency ultrasonography on micro breast cancer and screening for high-risk features on ultrasound. Methods: A total of 87 breast lesions from 85 patients were collected. The maximum diameters of the lesions were no more than 1 cm,and all lesions were classified as BI-RADS （Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System） 4. The lesions were grouped into benign and malignant groups based on results of postoperative pathology. The characteristics of grey-scale ultrasound and color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI), SMI and elasticity scores of the lesions were compared between 2 groups and high-risk features on ultrasound for micro breast cancer were screened. Results: Univariate analysis showed that lesion morphology, margin, calcification status, elasticity score, SMI and CDFI classification were statistically different between benign and malignant groups (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that lesions with ill-defined margin, elasticity score ≥4 or Adler scale of SMI ≥Ⅱ were independently predicting factors for micro breast cancer. The accuracy of combining the three indices for diagnosing micro breast cancer was 81.61%, higher than any single one. Conclusions: High-risk features of micro breast cancer on ultrasound include Adler scale SMI≥Ⅱ and elasticity score ≥4. Both features in combination with ill-defined margin show good diagnostic efficiency for micro breast cancer, which may provide an important reference for clinical diagnosis.

Key words: Micro breast cancer, Superb microvascular imaging, Elasticity score, Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System