HIGH-RESOLUTION SONOGRAPHY OF BREAST-CARCINOMA

The use of broad band transducers determined a great increase in spati al, contrast and vascular resolution of ultrasound probes dedicated to breast studies. Providing better definition of normal as well as path ologic features, high resolution sonography improves the specificity o f the diagnosis For the majority of malignant nodules and allows a bet ter definition of both local and regional staging. The most impressive results have been achieved in the evaluation of multifocal and multic entric carcinomas, in determining the size of the tumor, its degree of invasion of the surrounding tissues and of the ducts. Color and power Doppler offer further characterization that may be particularly usefu l in evaluating tumor vascularity during therapies that are planned be fore surgery. These new staging possibilities must push the radiologis ts to adequate their instruments and their methods to provide up-to-da te and more accurate informations to the surgeon. Copyright (C) 1997 E lsevier Science Ireland Ltd.