Keywords:
Breast, Oncology, Ultrasound, Diagnostic procedure, Sampling, Cancer, Calcifications / Calculi
Authors:
D. Suleimenova, R. Rakhimzhanova; Astana/KZ
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2018/C-2138
Conclusion
In screening patients with BI-RADS 4 microcalcifications the sensitivity of the “MicroPure” technology was relatively low from 37% to 68% for different types of microcalcifications.
These results do not contradict the results of the previous studies,
which reported that only 23 to 25% of the microcalcifications can be detected by “MicroPure”[8,9].
Although the sensitivity of the technology was low,
its specificity for segmental and linear types of microcalcifications in this study was 100%.
The relatively low sensitivity of the “MicroPure” in the detection of microcalcifications is possibly due to the software algorithm,
especially the filtration of hyperechoic signals[8].
In previous studies [8],
it was suggested that this algorithm would contribute to the high specificity of the technique,
which was confirmed in our study.
However,
this diagnostic characteristic has a limited practical use in the conditions of screening.
The reason that may explain the discrepancy in results between the studies is the operator dependence of the ultrasound method and the fact that the examiner in this case knew that the microcalcifications were detected by mammography.
The feasibility of biopsy under “MicroPure” guidance has been experimentally confirmed.
The main condition is a good visualization of microcalcifications in the "MicroPure" mode,
which is not always possible for all patients.
This is the main limitation of this technique.
Considering other parameters: convenience for the patient,
time of procedure,
absence of ionizing radiation,
reduced economic costs,
biopsy under ultrasound control is superior to the stereotactic biopsy [10].
It is important to note that this work was an experimental study conducted in only 52 patients.
The sample size was small; and research population was limited to screening patients with BI-RADS category 4 lesions,
so more research is needed with a larger sample size to determine the ability of MicroPure to identify microcalcifications in clinical practice.