Using automated breast sonography as part of a multimodality approach to dense breast screening

Abstract

Three-dimensional automated breast sonography is currently an investigational modality for breast cancer screening not yet accepted clinically in the United States. In this pilot study, a prospective study of 24 asymptomatic female patients with more than 50% breast density by digital screening mammography was performed using automated breast sonography and compared with 3D contrast breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) correlation (the gold standard). This study was performed as part of a multimodality approach to histologically proven breast lesions classified as categories 4 and 5 according to the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging, Reporting, and Data System (BI-RADS). Comparable diagnostic reliability (kappa values between 0.95 and 0.98) was observed between automated breast sonography and MRI in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions based on similar morphologic criteria. This preliminary study offers automated breast sonography as a promising cost-effective adjunct diagnostic modality to MRI in the evaluation women with increased breast density by digital mammography. © The Author(s) 2012.