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KMID : 1147320170040010012
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Journal of Surgical Ultrasound
2017 Volume.4 No. 1 p.12 ~ p.17
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Clinical Significance of Automated Breast Ultrasound
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Kang Sang-Yull
Lee Seung-Ju
Youn Hyun-Jo
Jung Sung-Hoo
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Abstract
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Breast ultrasound is a well-established diagnostic tool that is coupled with mammography for evaluation of breast abnormalities. This technique is widely available, painless, well-tolerated and does not involve ionizing radiation. However, it has several faults. Because of its dependence on operator techniques for hand-held ultrasound (HHUS), the skill and knowledge of the operator influence the diagnostic accuracy, while poor standardization and reproducibility reduce the diagnostic yield. To overcome these problems, state-of-the-art equipment such as an automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) has been introduced. Automated breast ultrasound acquires a series of consecutive B-mode pictures and reconstructs three-dimensional datasets of the entire breast volume. These data can then be sent to a separate workstation for analysis by a radiologist. Automated breast ultrasound can produce objective and responsible images and is expected to minimize operator dependency. Several studies have demonstrated the feasibility of ABUS and shown equal performance when comparing ABUS with HHUS. Moreover, some physicians suggested that it could be used not only for follow-up of benign lesions, but also for screening of breast cancer. However, ABUS also possesses certain limitations, including difficulty in clearly visualizing tissue in the axilla and behind the nipple, corrugation artifacts, and absence of flow information. Based on these limitations, other physicians have claimed that ABUS cannot currently displace HHUS and still requires further evaluation. Here, we review previous studies of ABUS and discuss its clinical significance as it relates to breast lesions.
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KEYWORD
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Automated, Hand, Breast, Ultrasonography
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