Evaluation of Virtual Touch Tissue Imaging Quantification, a New Shear Wave Velocity Imaging Method, for Breast Lesion Assessment by Ultrasound

Abstract

Objectives. To evaluate virtual touch tissue imaging quantification (VTIQ) as a new elastography method concerning its intra- and interexaminer reliability and its ability to differentiate benign from malignant breast lesions in comparison to and in combination with ultrasound (US) B-mode breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) assessment. Materials and Methods. US and VTIQ were performed by two examiners in 103 women with 104 lesions. Intra- and interexaminer reliability of VTIQ was assessed. The area under the receiver operating curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of BIRADS, VTIQ, and combined data were compared. Results. Fifty-four of 104 lesions were malignant. Intraexaminer reliability was consistent, and interexaminer agreement showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.93). The mean VTIQ values in malignant lesions were significantly higher than those in benign (7.73 m/s ± 1.02 versus 4.46 m/s ± 1.87; P < 0.0001). The combination of US-BIRADS with the optimal cut-off for clinical decision making of 5.18 m/s yielded a sensitivity of 98%, specificity of 82%, PPV of 86%, and NPV of 98%. The combination of BIRADS and VTIQ led to improved test validity. Conclusion. VTIQ is highly reliable and reproducible. There is a significant difference regarding the mean maximum velocity of benign and malignant lesions. Adding VTIQ to BIRADS assessment improves the specificity.

Assessment of Virtual Touch Tissue Imaging Quantification and the Ultrasound Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System in Patients With Thyroid Nodules Referred for Biopsy

“…To date, only 1 study reported the application of VTIQ for evaluating thyroid nodules, 22 although VTIQ has been shown to be useful and reproducible in accessing breast lesions and other organs. 19,20,32,33 In this study, the SWV parameters in malignant nodules were all higher than those in benign nodules, and the SWV mean showed the highest AUC value among them, with a cutoff value of 2.90 m/s. By comparison, in a previous study, Azizi et al 22 reported that VTIQ showed an AUC of 0.78 with a cutoff value of 3.54 m/s.…”

Clinical application of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging with Virtual Touch IQ in breast ultrasound: diagnostic performance and reproducibility of a new technique

“…The shear wave velocity (SWV) can be measured within the lesion, enabling a quantitative evaluation of tissue elasticity. In contrast to strain elastography, ARFI imaging and SWE do not require manual compression; the quantification is based on an intrinsic tissue property, and thus, it has a high user-independence and reproducibility (12,13).…”

Prediction of malignancy by a radiomic signature from contrast agent‐free diffusion MRI in suspicious breast lesions found on screening mammography.

“…Noninvasive diagnostic measures complementing radiographic mammography are candidates to reduce the number of false‐positive findings triggering invasive procedures in breast cancer screening participants. In terms of screening feasibility, ultrasound elastography and unenhanced abbreviated breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) currently appear to have potential for added benefit during noninvasive work‐up . Recently, contrast‐free breast MRI protocols with high‐quality diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) have shown promise in the diagnostic decision‐making of breast lesions .…”

“…In terms of screening feasibility, ultrasound elastography and unenhanced abbreviated breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) currently appear to have potential for added benefit during noninvasive work-up. 5,6 Recently, contrast-free breast MRI protocols with high-quality diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) have shown promise in the diagnostic decisionmaking of breast lesions. [7][8][9][10][11] The combination of DWI with morphological T 2 -weighted imaging sequences has been reported to provide reliable characterization of breast lesions.…”