Detectability of breast lesions under the nipple using an automated breast volume scanner: comparison with handheld ultrasonography

Abstract

ABVS imaging is by no means inferior to handheld US for detecting breast lesions under the nipple.

The image quality and lesion characterization of breast using automated whole-breast ultrasound: A comparison with handheld ultrasound

“…The presence of air bubbles and the degree of lesion coverage were two major limitations that may degrade AWUS image quality; however, no significant differences in the image quality between HHUS and AWUS were observed. In our study, the previously well-known artifact caused by nipple shadowing [15][16][17] did not affect image quality because a well-trained radiographer performed the AWUS examinations.…”

Automated Breast Volume Scanning Versus Conventional Ultrasound in Breast Cancer Screening

“…First, ABVS often has difficulty in clearly visualizing tissue behind the nipple on account of the nipple's acoustic shadow (11). This limitation can be ameliorated by applying a thick coating gel directly onto the nipple (22); after doing so, we found that the effects due to the nipple's acoustic shadow were minimal, and ABVS performed no worse than US in visualizing tissue behind the nipple. Second, in instances where the patient is lean and the breast texture is hard or when the patient is unable to fully elevate her arms, ABVS images may not completely cover the full breast volume.…”

“…For the detection of breast lesions, ABVS possesses certain advantages over US: 1) ABVS provides automated and standardized scanning; 2) reconstructed images can be saved and transmitted for later analysis, thereby facilitating remote consultation by allowing an assistant medical technician or radiographer to operate the device, a junior physician to analyze the images and report the findings, and a senior physician to interpret the findings and provide the final impression or diagnosis; 3) ABVS is less dependent on operator idiosyncrasies, so ABVS can reduce the impact of operator bias, thereby improving standardization and reproducibility (11,13,14); 4) overlooking a lesion is less probable with ABVS; compared to the small field of view provided by traditional 3D US (5 cm 2 ), ABVS offers a wider field of view covering the entire breast volume with one Japanese study demonstrating a whole breast visualization rate of up to 98% (15)(16)(17); and 5) unlike other imaging modalities, lesions that are not detected during breast US are not typically documented; however, ABVS has the potential to provide complete documentation (18).…”

Early prediction of pathological outcomes to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients using automated breast ultrasound

“…However, as the technology continues to evolve, the degree of artifact should continue to diminish. One study showed that the visualization rate for the under-the-nipple mammary gland using the four-scan technique was as high as 98% and automated US was not inferior to handheld US (29). Thirdly, current design of the scanning paddle cannot fully cover the axilla.…”