Feasibility Study of Contrast‐Enhanced Automated Acoustic Mammography

• Published in: Journal of ultrasound in medicine Vol. 32; no. 5; pp. 825 - 833
• Main Authors: Gaitini, Diana, Rothstein, Tamara, Gallimidi, Zahava, Azhari, Haim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine 01-05-2013
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Algorithms; Artificial Intelligence; attenuation; breast; Breast Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Contrast Media; contrast-enhanced sonography; Elasticity Imaging Techniques - methods; Feasibility Studies; Female; Fluorocarbons; Humans; Image Enhancement - methods; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Middle Aged; Pattern Recognition, Automated - methods; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; speed of sound; through-transmission; time of flight; Ultrasonography, Mammary - methods
• ISSN: 0278-4297; 1550-9613
• DOI: 10.7863/jum.2013.32.5.825

The feasibility of implementing image subtraction in through‐transmission breast sonography was examined. Acoustic mammograms of women with suspicious findings were obtained using through‐transmission imaging. Precontrast images were initially acquired. Then a perflutren liquid microsphere contrast agent solution was injected intravenously, and new sets of images were acquired. Precontrast‐postcontrast subtraction images depicting the resulting changes were then obtained and visually compared with other imaging modalities. The ability to detect changes stemming from contrast agent injection in the through‐transmission mode was verified. The comparability with x‐ray mammography and magnetic resonance imaging was shown. Finally, the ability to compare images obtained before and several months after surgery was confirmed.