Ultrasound Imaging Technologies for Breast Cancer Detection and Management: A Review

Abstract

Ultrasound imaging is a commonly used modality for breast cancer detection and diagnosis. In this review, we summarize ultrasound imaging technologies and their clinical applications for the management of breast cancer patients. The technologies include ultrasound elastography, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, 3-D ultrasound, automatic breast ultrasound and computer-aided detection of breast ultrasound. We summarize the study results seen in the literature and discuss their future directions. We also provide a review of ultrasound-guided, breast biopsy and the fusion of ultrasound with other imaging modalities, especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For comparison, we also discuss the diagnostic performance of mammography, MRI, positron emission tomography and computed tomography for breast cancer diagnosis at the end of this review. New ultrasound imaging techniques, ultrasound-guided biopsy and the fusion of ultrasound with other modalities provide important tools for the management of breast patients.

7T MR neurography‐ultrasound fusion for peripheral nerve imaging

“…The technical equipment required for the fusion process is not yet commonplace, and where available, is presently used mostly for biopsies and other percutaneous interventional procedures . Moreover, compared to established PNS imaging methods, fusion imaging requires additional processing time, which might not always be feasible in clinical settings.…”

“…Based on these findings, it appears that some patients with presumed peripheral axonal degeneration can be shown to display imaging markers thought to be associated with PNS inflammation 19,20 The technical equipment required for the fusion process is not yet commonplace, and where available, is presently used mostly for biopsies and other percutaneous interventional procedures. 23,24 Moreover, compared to established PNS imaging methods, fusion imaging requires additional processing time, which might not always be feasible in clinical settings. A growing number of device manufacturers are offering similar 3D navigation systems, though, and it is expected that these will become more commonplace in the future, allowing for systematic studies in larger cohorts to confirm the potential utility of the fusion imaging technique.…”

A review of various modalities in breast imaging: technical aspects and clinical outcomes

“…7). The sensitivity of ABUS in the diagnosis of breast cancer is 79% and its specificity is 83.3% [25].…”

“…Ultrasound can evaluate the morphology, orientation, internal structures, and margin of lesions in dense breasts on several plates. Evaluation of these features helps to differentiate benign and solid breast lesions [25]. Sensitivity increases to 97.3% and specificity to 76.1% by adding ultrasound imaging to conventional breast cancer screening methods (mammography and physical examination) [26].…”

“…The second uses a matrix array converter that electronically scans a 3D volume. The matrix array creates a beam in both positions and forms a pyramidal volume [25].…”