American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 168, 1591-1594, Copyright © 1997 by American Roentgen Ray Society
A simple method for relative assessment of the sound propagation velocity in breast tumors: technique and diagnostic efficacy
JF Pedersen
Ultrasound Laboratory, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate a method
for assessing the sound propagation velocity in breast tumors relative to
the velocity in adjacent tissue. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients
with palpable breast tumors were studied. The scanning plane was aligned so
that it transected the tumor and depicted the front of a rib or the
pleura-lung interface behind the tumor. This contour was evaluated for
distortion, and the height of the distortion and the height of the tumor
were used to calculate the relative sound propagation velocity. RESULTS: A
posterior reference line was revealed behind 62 of 66 tumors. Of these 62
tumors, an elevation was seen behind 49 tumors, and no distortion was seen
behind 13 tumors. A depression was never observed. The median relative
sound propagation velocity of 1.07 that was calculated in 42 carcinomas
(range, 1.00- 1.14) was insignificantly higher (p = .079) than the median
relative sound propagation velocity of 1.04 obtained in 20 fibroadenomas
(range, 1.00-1.15). CONCLUSION: Although assessment of relative sound
propagation velocity in breast tumors was successful, the relative
velocities differed only insignificantly between benign and malignant
lesions.