Imaging Characteristics Of Handheld Ultrasound And Automatic Breast Ultrasound In Breast Cancer Screening In Primary Medical Institutions

Backgrounds and ObjectivesThe incidence of breast cancer rises continuously,bringing greater disease burden to China,especially in rural areas where long-term survival rate is significantly lower than that in urban areas.Breast cancer screening in rural areas in urgent need of high-quality promotion,automated breast ultrasound system is expected to overcome the reliance of handheld ultrasound operators,improve the ability of primary medical institutions for breast cancer screening.In this study,breast imaging features of different imaging techniques including automated breast ultrasound were analyzed based on breast cancer screening population to provide more evidence for standardized imaging diagnostic procedures for breast cancer screening.MethodsIn this study,subjects with imaging abnormalities were selected from 35-64 years old breast cancer screening population in Jungar Banner,Ordos City.All subjects completed hand-held ultrasound(HHUS)and automatic breast ultrasound system(ABUS)examinations.According to the classification of BI-RADS.categories 1-3 of BI-RADS were defined as negative cases,and categories 4-5 of BIRADS were defined as positive cases.Imaging features of subjects’ hand-held ultrasound(HHUS)and automatic breast ultrasound system(ABUS)were extracted,and descriptive analysis and comparison between groups were conducted to analyze the imaging features valuable for positive diagnosis in each imaging technique.After pathological biopsy of positive cases,the imaging features of each imaging examination that are valuable for the diagnosis of pathological malignancy were analyzed.ResultsIn this project,2.033 subjects with imaging abnormalities were selected from 8674 women who completed screening at the screening site of Jungar Banner from June 2018 to June 2022.In women aged 35-64 years,HHUS and ABUS were consistent in imaging features that were valuable for screening positive results,including:mass largest diameter,mass shape,mass growth direction,mass margin,echo characteristics,posterior echo characteristics,and presence of calcification.And in women aged 45-64,structural distortions were also valuable imaging features that were examined consistently in those two imaging techniques.Blood supply patterns in women aged 35-64 and blood flow in women aged 45-64 are valuable imaging features unique to HHUS.Convergent signs detected by ABUS in women aged 35-64 years are unique imaging features that are valuable for positive screening results,as are catheter changes found in women aged 35-44 years.In the cases who underwent pathological biopsy after screening positive,imaging features such as mass morphology,growth direction and convergence sign were found in ABUS.which have guiding value for pathological diagnosis of malignancy.ConclusionsThis study found that among breast cancer screening population aged 35-64 years old,imaging features such as mass shape,maximum diameter,growth direction,edge,echo feature,rear echo feature and calcification were consistent in helping ABUS and HHUS to make positive diagnosis.Detection of blood flow in HHUS and convergence sign in ABUS were unique imaging signs respectively.Mass morphology,direction of growth,and convergence signs in ABUS were also valuable imaging features for pathologically malignant diagnosis in positive cases.