Role of Ultrasonography in The Evaluation of Benign and Malignant Breast Lesions

Abstract Introduction: Breast lesions are a common presentation encountered in the routine ultrasonography outpatient department. Imaging plays an important role in differentiating benign breast lesions from malignant ones. Ultrasonographic evaluation is usually the first investigation performed. Mammography and MRI are combined with ultrasonography in conferring the BIRADS category of a breast lesion. Aims and objectives: The aim of this study is to predict the sensitivity of ultrasonography in the evaluation of benign versus malignant breast lesions. Materials and method: 115 patients who presented to the ultrasound outpatient department with breast lesions were prospectively evaluated and classified as benign or malignant lesions. These characteristics were compared with mammogram and in few cases with MRI where indicated. Results: In the evaluation of breast lesions in the outpatient setting, Benign ultrasonographic features were detected in 106 (92%) lesions. Of the benign lesions, 2 lesions were eventually confirmed malignant on Mammogram and FNAC. Conclusion: Ultrasonography can be used as the first line imaging modality to detect benign and malignant breast lesions with the advent of higher frequency probes and easier accessibility of ultrasound. Combining Mammography with MRI improves sensitivity and confirms BIRADS Category.