Efficacy of Ultrasound and Shear Wave Elastography for the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer–Related Lymphedema

Abstract

Objectives To assess the feasibility of ultrasound and shear wave elastography (SWE) in the diagnosis of breast cancer–related lymphedema. Methods Forty‐one patients with a history of unilateral breast surgery and axillary dissection or sentinel lymph node excision were included in this prospective study. The patients were classified as having normal findings, latent lymphedema, and clinical lymphedema on the basis of a physical examination, lymphedema index scores, and limb circumference measurements. The thickness and stiffness of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue of the forearm and arm were measured by ultrasound and SWE. The thickness and stiffness of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue of the affected limb and contralateral limbs of the normal, latent lymphedema, and clinical lymphedema groups were compared. Results The mean age ± SD of the 41 patients was 55.42 ± 10.12 years. There were 15 patients with normal findings, 10 with latent lymphedema, and 16 with clinical lymphedema. In the latent lymphedema group, the thickness measurements of the cutaneous tissue of the affected forearm and the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue of the affected arm were significantly greater than those of the contralateral forearm and arm (P = .034; P = .022; and P = .002, respectively), and the stiffness measurements of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue of the affected forearm were significantly greater than those of the contralateral forearm (P = .011; and P = .002). In the clinical lymphedema group, the thickness and stiffness measurements of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue of the affected forearm and arm were significantly greater than those of the contralateral limb (P < .001–P = .032). Conclusions Ultrasound and SWE are effective for diagnosing breast cancer–related lymphedema even at a latent stage.

Application value of conventional ultrasound combined with shear wave elastography in diagnosing triple negative breast cancer

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The Micromechanical Signature of Pituitary Adenomas: New Perspectives for the Diagnosis and Surgery

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Shear Wave Elastography-Assisted Ultrasound Breast Image Analysis and Identification of Abnormal Data

“…e ultrasonic radiation force comes from the change of linear momentum when the ultrasonic wave propagates in the medium, i.e., the ultrasonic wave in the medium will produce energy density difference because of absorption or scattering. Only in a viscoelastic liquid or solid with a certain attenuation coefficient can the sound radiation force be produced [12]. e action of acoustic radiation force by the emission of a series of detection pulses can get the corresponding position of the tissue vibration.…”