Image Features and Diagnostic Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast: Preliminary Findings

Abstract

To explore the image features and the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. A total of 96 female patients with a solitary and histologically proven DCIS were analyzed retrospectively, and 100 female cases of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) lesions were used as the control group. The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category of breast lesions was assessed according to conventional ultrasound features. The DCIS lesions were classified into mass type and non-mass type. The CEUS characteristics of these breast lesions were retrospectively analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The final gold standard was biopsy or surgery with histo-pathological examination. Comparing the ultrasound images of DCIS with that of IDC, there were significant differences in echo pattern, calcification morphology, and calcification distribution ( p < .05 for all). There was a significant difference between DCIS and IDC in enhancement intensity, perfusion defects, peripheral high enhancement, intratumoral vessels, and arrival time (AT) ( p < .05 for all). In the logistic multivariate regression analysis, two indicators linked with DCIS were recognized: perfusion defects ( p = .002) and peripheral high enhancement ( p < .001). In forecasting DCIS, the logistic regression equation resulted in an AUC of 0.689, a specificity of 0.720, and a sensitivity of 0.563. CEUS showed differences in enhancement characteristics between DCIS and IDC, with perfusion defects and peripheral high enhancement being associated with DCIS.