Gray scale histogram analysis of solid breast lesions with ultrasonography: can lesion echogenicity ratio be used to differentiate the malignancy?

• Published in: Clinical imaging Vol. 37; no. 5; pp. 871 - 875
• Main Authors: Erol, Bekir, Kara, Taylan, Gürses, Cemil, Karakoyun, Rojbin, Köroğlu, Mert, Süren, Dinç, Bülbüller, Nurullah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-09-2013; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age; Aged; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Disease; Female; Humans; Lesion echogenicity ratio; Middle Aged; Patients; Radiology; Retrospective Studies; Skin; Statistical analysis; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonography; Ultrasonography, Mammary - methods; Young Adult; Lesion echogenicity ratio; Breast cancer; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0899-7071; 1873-4499
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2013.04.007

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of lesion echogenicity ratios (LER) calculated by image histogram analysis for distinction of malignant and benign breast lesions. Material and methods A total of 55 patients (mean age, 44 years) with 59 lesions were included. Ultrasound images were analyzed retrospectively. Results Mean LER values in benign and malignant lesions were 1.63±0.41 and 3.1±0.87, respectively. The difference between LER values of benign and malignant breast lesions was statistically significant ( P <.001). Conclusion LER can be used as an adjunct ultrasound parameter to differentiate between benign and malignant breast lesions.