Combination of Different Sectional Elastography Techniques with Age to Optimize the Downgrading of Breast BI-RAIDS Class 4a Nodules.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to optimize the downgrading of BI-RADS class 4a nodules by combining various sectional elastography techniques with age.

Materials and methods: We performed conventional ultrasonography, strain elastography (SE), and shear wave elastography (SWE) on patients. Quantitative parameters recorded included age, cross-sectional and longitudinal area ratios (C-EI/B, L-EI/B), strain rate ratios (C-SR, L-SR), overall average elastic modulus values (C-Emean1, L-Emean1), five-point average elastic modulus values (C-Emean2, L-Emean2), and maximum elastic modulus values (C-Emax, L-Emax).

Results: Histopathological evaluations showed that out of 230 lesions, 45 were malignant, and 185 were benign. The sensitivity and specificity of conventional ultrasonography were 100% and 0%, respectively. In contrast, SE and SWE exhibited higher specificity but lower sensitivity. Crosssectional parameters (C-EI/B, C-SR, C-Emean1, C-Emean2, and C-Emax) outperformed their longitudinal counterparts, with C-SR and C-Emax showing the highest specificity (72.43% and 73.51%) and satisfactory sensitivity (80.00% and 88.89%). Combining age with C-SR and C-Emax significantly improved diagnostic efficiency, achieving a sensitivity of 97.78% and a specificity of 77.30%.

Conclusion: Integrating age with C-SR and C-Emax effectively reduces unnecessary biopsies for most BI-RADS 4a benign lesions while maintaining a very low misdiagnosis rate.