Evaluation of real-time elastography in diagnosis of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer / 实时组织弹性成像对乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移的诊断价值评估

• Published in: Xi'an jiao tong da xue xue bao. Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University (medical sciences). Yi xue ban no. 5; p. 656
• Main Authors: Qiao-ling, ZHAO, Li-tao, RUAN, ZHANG, Hua, Jian-jun, HE, Jian-sheng, WANG, Hui-lian, HOU, Xiao-na, XIA, Yi-min, YIN, AI, Hong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: Xi'an Xi'an Jiaotong University 01.01.2013
• Subjects: Breast cancer; Lymphatic system; Metastasis; Ultrasonic imaging
• ISSN: 1671-8259
• DOI: 10.7652/jdyxb201305022

Objective: To evaluate the significance of real-time elastography (RTE) in differentiating non-metastatic and metastatic axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer. Methods: A total of 57 lymph nodes from 57 patients with breast cancer were examined by both two-dimensional ultrasound and RTE; sonograms and elastograms were analyzed, respectively. The results were compared with histopathologic outcomes. Results: The elasticity score for metastatic lymph nodes was higher than that for non-metastatic lymph nodes (3.23±0.43 vs. 1.35±0.49, P<0.05). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of two-dimensional ultrasound and RTE were 80.0% vs. 86.7%, 77.8% vs. 81.5%, and 78.9% vs. 84.2%, respectively (P>0.05). The area under the ROC curves of two-dimensional ultrasound and RTE was 0.813 and 0.885, respectively. Conclusion: RTE is an effective ultrasonographic method in differentiating non-metastatic and metastatic axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer, especially when the nodes are not clearly deformed in shape with two-dime