A preliminary study on the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and micro-flow imaging for detecting blood flow signals in breast cancer patients.

Background: The distribution and morphology of mass microvessels could affect the diagnostic accuracy of breast cancer (BC). The aim of our study was to compare the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and micro-flow imaging (CEUS-MFI), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) in the assessment of mass microvasculature.

Methods: A total of 106 patients with 106 breast masses categorized as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4 were enrolled in our prospective study. CEUS-MFI, CEUS and conventional CDFI were used to estimate the microvascular morphology and distribution types of breast lesions, respectively. Pathological results were considered the gold standard.

Results: CEUS-MFI technique applied in microvascular morphology and distribution types resulted in a higher resolution in breast lesions than the CEUS and CDFI techniques. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CEUS-MFI were 94.4%, 85.3%, and 91.5%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CEUS were 88.9%, 82.4%, and 86.8%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the CDFI were 61.1%, 76.5% and 66.0%, respectively. There were significant differences in accuracy between the CEUS-MFI and CEUS (P=0.01). There were significant differences in accuracy between the CEUS-MFI and CDFI (P<0.001).

Conclusions: This study supports CEUS-MFI is a new and promising imaging method for visualizing microvasculature in breast masses. CEUS-MFI improves the diagnostic capacity for BC.