Nasreen Naz, Khalid Malik.
Different appearances of breast masses on high frequency ultrasound.
Pak J Surg Jan ;28(1):65-9.

Objective: To determine the frequency of diff erent appearances and categorize features of breast masses with high frequency 12MHZ ultrasound. Design: Descriptive Study Sett ing and duration: Th is study was conducted in the Radiology Department of Civil Hospital and Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi from January 2009 to January 2011. Patients and methods: All female patients with breast lump either palpable or non palpable referred to radiology department for ultrasound breast imaging were included. Other criteria included were age between 15 – 55 years, pain and nipple discharge. Dense breast parenchyma and asymmetrical density on mammography were also included. Biopsy proven and treated cases for breast diseases were excluded. Main outcome measure was presence of the abnormal clinical and ultrasound fi ndings. Findings were categorized in BIRA DS terms. Statistical analysis was done for descriptive statistics. Mean of age, frequency & percentage analysis of benign & malignant fi ndings were carried out. Results: Th is study include 265 adult female patients. I80 (67.9%) were with palpable lump, 45 (16.9%) were with non palpable lump but nipple discharge and mastalgia present in remaining cases. Ultrasound fi ndings were categorized on BIRA DS term. Out of 265 cases 73 (27.5%) showed malignant features on ultrasound while Benign fi ndings in 140 (52.8%) patients. 30 (11.3%) cases were probable benign and 22 (8.30%) cases were suspicious. Benign fi ndings noted in young patients between 15 – 30 years, except 7 shown suspicious malignant features. Predominance of malignant features in above 50 years. Distribution of 140 benign fi ndings were, cysts in 52 (37.5%) cases, fi bro adenoma in 40 (28.5%) cases, and mastalgia in 25 (17.5%) cases and duct ectasia s in 23 (16.4%) cases. Malignant features seen in 73 (27.5%) cases. Conclusion: Th is study refl ects that the high frequency 12 MHZ ultrasound is the ideal imaging modality to categorized benign and malignant masses especially in young and dense breasts. It is also useful in cases of mastalgia. Th ere was benign dominance in young female patients and malignant in old age group. Ultrasound categorization helps to avoid unnecessary biopsies and provides bett er options in the management plan.

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