Ultrasound Alongside with Mammogram in Women with Physically Dense Breast

Abstract

We report usefulness of ultrasound used as an adjunct diagnostic tool to mammogram in routine annual checkup for women breasts of certain ages and breast mass. The purpose of breast imaging is to detect areas of tissue distortion and breast cancers. A mammogram is the common diagnostic imaging modality used to find breast diseases but sometimes the mammogram might not give the doctor enough information especially in women with dense breasts. As a result, the patient may be asked to undergo ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging as a better mean of judgment to the case. Because ultrasound is widely used, simple and safe to patients we were encouraged to emphasis on exploring its role adjunct to mammogram. A retrospective observation study was done at the diagnostic radiology department at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) in the period from January 2012 to June 2012; we covered all women with dense breasts in mammography and ultrasound units. The study group was 40 patients. All patients were imaged with both mammography and ultrasound. The statistical measures of accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were calculated using the SPSS program. The results we obtained suggest that age and the physical density of breast potentially affect mammogram images of women with 41 years or smaller with sensitivity 66% and specificity 68%. Therefore, we recommend using ultrasound alongside the mammogram in women with dense breast for better diagnosis of small cancers that were not identified on mammography or clinical breast examination alone.

The Role of Ultrasound as a Diagnostic Tool for Breast Cancer in the Screening of Younger Women (Age 25-38) in Guyana

“…The statistical measures of accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were calculated using the SPSS program. The results we obtained suggest that age and the physical density of breast potentially affect mammogram images of women with 41 years or smaller with sensitivity 66% and specificity 68% [5].…”

“…Mammogram is normally the gold standard for detection of breast cancer, however it is limited when younger patients need to be diagnosed. The dense appearance of the breast makes it hard to identify any mass and therefore an ultrasound is advised for further investigation [5]. The population of Georgetown is approximately 134,450; assuming half of them are women that will be 67,226 and approximately 1/3 of the women are adults between 25-38 years old, using 22,184 as my target population size and 5,546 as my study population for this study.…”

“…The efficacy of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool for the detection of breast cancer in younger women is becoming more evident. Ultrasound is used in many ways, not only as an initial diagnostic tool for confirmation of pathology determined from biopsies of the breast but also staging of breast cancer [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. It is also combined with mammography, a procedure called sonomammography to aid in better detection of breast cancer.…”

Accuracy of Digital Mammography Unit in Diagnosis Breast Cancer in Gaza Strip, Palestine

“…Patients with signs and symptoms of breast cancer present for imaging evaluation. However, studies show that mammography is not a perfect tool to detect breast cancer as it misses some tumors in some women, particularly in women at early ages, 13,14 and women with dense breasts. 9,13,14 The significance of combined mammographic and sonographic imaging in symptomatic patients has been previously studied.…”

“…However, studies show that mammography is not a perfect tool to detect breast cancer as it misses some tumors in some women, particularly in women at early ages, 13,14 and women with dense breasts. 9,13,14 The significance of combined mammographic and sonographic imaging in symptomatic patients has been previously studied. Also, the sensitivity of the two modalities on 45 participants was studied 9 , which resulted in 90.6% for mammography and 100% for U/S.…”