Diagnostic accuracy of automated breast ultrasound in comparison with different breast imaging modalities in evaluation of breast lesions

Abstract

Background Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in women worldwide. Aims To assess the diagnostic accuracy of automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) in comparison with other different breast imaging modalities in evaluation of breast lesions and correlate the findings with the pathology results. Patients and methods A prospective analytical study included 50 breast lesions in 50 patients (age: 32–79 years; mean age: 46.8 years). All patients underwent digital mammography (MX), tomosynthesis, contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM), and then ABUS. The results of ABUS were compared with breast imaging modalities. The findings were correlated with final pathological results, which served as the reference standard. Results Overall, 30% (15/50) of the lesions were histopathologically proven as benign lesions, and 70% (35/50) were malignant. Of the 35 malignant lesions, 33 were detectable by ABUS in comparison with 13 of 15 benign lesions. ABUS showed a diagnostic accuracy of 92%, whereas MX showed 70%, tomosynthesis 82%, and CEDM 96%. ABUS improved the sensitivity to 94.4%, with better positive and negative predictive values (positive predictive value of about 94.3% and negative predictive value of 86.7%) Conclusion ABUS added value as an adjunct in the detection and characterization of indeterminate breast lesions during routine imaging diagnosis compared with MX, tomosynthesis, or CEDM. It is valuable in increased accuracy of BIRADS assessment of lesions, regional extension, and multicentric and multifocal breast lesions.