The accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of breast disease

The accuracy of breast ultrasound using all purpose static beta-scanning equipment has been compared with mammography. Ultrasound was found to be both more sensitive (93%:82%) and specific (95%:89%) in a large retrospective series of 1000 patients undergoing investigation for symptomatic breast disease. In a smaller prospective and consecutive series of 142 patients undergoing surgery where histological proof was obtained ultrasound was also found to be more sensitive (91%:81%) and specific (81%:69%). In both studies, the greater accuracy of ultrasound was attributed to its ability to diagnose lesions hidden in X-ray dense breasts and where mammography had revealed featureless asymmetical densities of uncertain nature. In these instances ultrasound may have a significant role to play as an adjunct to mammography in the preoperative assessment of breast lesions.