Diagnostic Value of Superb Microvascular Imaging in Differentiating Benign and Malignant Breast Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that investigated the diagnostic performance of Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI) in differentiating between benign and malignant breast tumors. Methods: Studies published between January 2010 and March 2022 were retrieved by online literature search conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine Disc, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and Vip databases. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odd ratios were calculated using Stata software 15.0. Heterogeneity among the included studies was assessed using I2 statistic and Q test. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate potential sources of heterogeneity. Influence analysis was conducted to determine the robustness of the pooled conclusions. Deeks’ funnel plot asymmetry test was performed to assess publication bias. A summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC) was constructed. Results: Twenty-three studies involving 2749 breast lesions were included in our meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77–0.84, inconsistency index [I2] = 28.32%) and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.79–0.88, I2 = 89.36%), respectively. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 19.95 (95% CI, 14.84–26.82). The area under the SROC (AUC) was 0.85 (95% CI, 0.81–0.87). Conclusion: SMI has a relatively high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for differentiating between benign and malignant breast lesions. It represents a promising supplementary technique for the diagnosis of breast neoplasms.

A Novel Nomogram Based on Imaging Biomarkers of Shear Wave Elastography, Angio Planewave Ultrasensitive Imaging, and Conventional Ultrasound for Preoperative Prediction of Malignancy in Patients with Breast Lesions

“…However, they had a slightly lower diagnostic efficiency (AUC = 0.849) than our model (AUC = 0.973) [34]. It may be because they selected vascular index (VI) to assess breast tumor vasculature, while we chose to use MVDP, which has been shown to be a better imaging biomarker of diagnostic efficacy in previous work [35]. Additionally, they used ROI to measure the SWE parameters of breast lesions.…”

Malignant glomus tumor of the breast: a case report

“…SMI, utilizing innovative Doppler technology, employs multidimensional filtering to segregate blood flow signals from clutter, thus eliminating unwanted artifacts while preserving slow intravascular signals, all without the need for contrast agents (21). Studies have demonstrated that SMI offers superior resolution in depicting microvascular blood flow patterns and the angiogenesis characteristic of malignant breast tumors compared to conventional color Doppler flow imaging and power Doppler imaging (22). Some research findings suggest that SMI can highlight more penetrating vessels in breast cancer cases, aiding in distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions in the breasts without detectable abnormalities, especially those categorized as BI-RADS category 4 breast lesions (21,23).…”

Novel Technique of Endoscopic Ultrasonography for the Differential Diagnosis of Gallbladder Lesions and Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms: A Single-Center Prospective Study

“…It is important to compare the results of DFI-EUS with those obtained via transabdominal ultrasonography, another microvascular imaging technique. Diagnostic studies on various diseases have shown that the utility of transabdominal ultrasonography for microvascular imaging is similar to that of DFI [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Super microvascular imaging (SMI), another microvascular imaging technique, provides significantly more information than conventional Doppler imaging with respect to vascularity and is useful for the differential diagnosis of thyroid lesions, breast lesions, liver lesions, renal lesions, and cervical lymph nodes [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”

“…Diagnostic studies on various diseases have shown that the utility of transabdominal ultrasonography for microvascular imaging is similar to that of DFI [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Super microvascular imaging (SMI), another microvascular imaging technique, provides significantly more information than conventional Doppler imaging with respect to vascularity and is useful for the differential diagnosis of thyroid lesions, breast lesions, liver lesions, renal lesions, and cervical lymph nodes [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. However, there are no reports on its utility for pancreatic lesions.…”