Objective:

To explore the application value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in differential diagnosis of malignant and benign breast lesions.

Methods:

A total of 306 breast lesions from 261 patients found by 2-dimensional ultrasound were conducted contrast-enhanced ultrasound. SonoLiver software was used to acquire the parameters of timeintensity curve. The analysis results were compared with the pathological results.

Results:

On contrast-enhanced ultrasound

the malignant lesions showed quick and uneven enhancement with peripheral radial enhancement during early phase. But the benign lesions

showed even

slow and weak enhancement or no enhancement

and they had no peripheral radial enhancement. There was significant difference between the malignant and benign lesions (

P

0.05). The decrease in breadth-length ratio of breast lesions suggested malignant lesion. There was difference in peak intensity ratio of region of interest (ROI) between benign and malignant lesions. Compared with the results of pathology

166 were correctly diagnosed and 20 were misdiagnosed in 181 benign lesions; and 103 were correctly diagnosed and 18 were misdiagnosed in 121 malignant lesions. The sensitivity of diagnosis of malignant lesions was 85.1%

the specificity was 85.1%

and the accuracy was 87.6%.

Conclusion:

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound could dynamically observe the microvascular perfusion status in breast lesions. SonoLiver software could make further quantitative analysis and improve the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions.