Clinical value and application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the differential diagnosis of malignant and benign breast lesions

The aim of the present study was to assess the performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in distinguishing between malignant and benign breast lesions and the diagnostic value of its clinical application. A total of 52 cases with malignant breast tumors and 73 cases with benign breast lesions were included in the study. Time-intensity curves (TICs) for contrast-enhanced ultrasound were recorded, and the perfusion parameters were obtained and analyzed. Typical features of malignant breast tumors included irregular shape and vascular morphology, uneven contrast agent distribution, filling defects and contrast agent retention, ‘fast-out’ wash-out mode, unclear boundaries and uneven internal echo. Benign lesions were characterized by ‘slow-out’ or synchronous wash-out mode. Regarding perfusion, the starting time of the perfusion of the Sone-Vue microbubble contrast (always 20-30 sec) and time to peak (TTP) were significantly earlier for the malignant lesions, while the wash-out time was later. A significantly greater peak intensity, rising slope and area under the TIC were observed for the malignant breast lesions. All of the malignant breast lesions exhibited an enlarged focus scope on ultrasound, while no obvious focus scope enhancement was observed for benign breast lesions. Furthermore, the TICs of 88.4% of malignant breast lesions were of the fast-rising and slow-declining type, while the TICs of 75.3 and 17.8% of the benign breast lesions were of the slow-rising and fast-declining, and fast-rising and fast-declining type, respectively. Receiver operating characteristics analysis indicated that the TTP, wash-out time and rising slope might contribute to the differential diagnosis between malignant and benign breast lesions. In conclusion, TIC parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound have promising clinical value in differentiating between malignant and benign breast lesions. The TTP, wash-out time and rising slope may contribute to the diagnosis of patients with breast lesions to facilitate timely treatment and prognostication of breast cancer patients.