Objective:

To investigate the correlation between ultrasonic and pathological features of pure invasive micropapillary carcinoma (PIMPC).

Methods:

Forty-seven PIMPC patients confirmed by pathological examination were selected as subjects in People's Hospital of Longhua District

Shenzhen from Jan. 2010 to May 2016. And 40 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) were selected as controls during the same period. The ultrasonic manifestations

were analyzed to evaluate the value of ultrasonic manifestations in the diagnosis of PIMPC axillary lymph node metastases.

Results:

There was no difference in age

lesion size

lesion location

lesion distribution (

P

＞0.05) between the two groups

but the lesion diameter

spiculated or crab-like margins

internal echo

posterior echo

aspect ratio

Alder's blood flow grading and ultrasound elastography score were significantly different (

P

＜0.05). The postoperative pathological results were set as gold standard

and the sensitivity

specificity

positive predictive value and negative predictive value of ultrasonography for the diagnosis of PIMPC axillary lymph node metastases were 52.94%

76.92%

85.71% and 38.46%

respectively.

Conclusion:

The main ultrasonic manifestations of PIMPC are irregular shape

unclear boundary

spiculated margin and low blood flow signal

which are closely related to the pathological characteristics of the tumor. In addition

ultrasonography is valuable in identifying axillary lymph node metastases in PIMPC patients.