Direct in-vitro measurement of sound velocity in carcinomas, fibrocystic changes, fibroadenomas and fatty tissues of the female breast.

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate ultrasound velocity (SV) in carcino mas, fibrocystic changes, fibroadenomas and fatty tissue of the female brea st by means of direct in-vitro measurements. We intended to test whether or not differences in SV exist between the various types of tissue and whethe r the SV is a useful criterion to differentiate the different tissues. Meth od: SV was measured by comparing transmission time of the ultrasound beam t hrough the specimen and through water. Altogether 40 specimens (12 cancer, 14 fibrocystic changes = FCD, 10 fatty tissues, 3 fibroadenomas, and 1 mixe d tissue) were analysed. Results: Velocity differed significantly between f at (1478.5+/-6.5m/s) and tumor (1523.1+/-5.9 m/s) (p similar to 10(-11)) an d between fat and FCD (1526.0 +/- 9.0 mis) (p similar to 10(-12)). No signi ficant differences and much overlap were seen between the ultrasound veloci ties of tumors and FCD. Ultrasound velocity in fibroadenomas (1533.2+/-3.8 m/s) was comparable with that in carcinomas and FCD. Conclusions: We conclu de that ultrasound velocity may add complementary information to echogenici ty (B-scan). Thus, a locally exact correlation of echogenicity and sound ve locity might allow for an improved tissue characterization.