BREAST DISEASES - COLOR DOPPLER US IN DIFFERENTIAL-DIAGNOSIS

PURPOSE: To subjectively and semi-quantitatively evaluate color Dopple r signals on images of breast lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 5-MHz ultrasound (US) system was used to examine 210 new breast lesions. Sig nals were evaluated subjectively with an analog scale. A semi-quantita tive scoring system involved analysis of the average number of vessels per square centimeter and average density of color pixels. RESULTS: V essels were detected in 57 of 58 cancers (mean, 0.11 vessels per squar e centimeter, occupying 1.76% of the scan area). Color Doppler scores had no correlation with conventional prognostic indicators such as lym ph node status or survival. Fewer vessels per square centimeter (mean, 0.06) occupying a smaller area (mean, 0.41%) were detected in the fiv e fibroadenomas (n = 36) that showed color Doppler signals. Most cases (99 of 104 [96%]) of benign breast changes had no color Doppler signa ls. CONCLUSION: Color Doppler signals in a lesion otherwise thought to be benign should prompt a biopsy, while the absence of signals in an indeterminate lesion is reassuring.