Objective:

To investigate the accuracy of ultrasound breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) classification combined with shear wave elastography (SWE） in the diagnosis of 4 types of breast masses.

Methods:

SWE tests were performed on 100 patients with BI-RADS type 4 breast lesions (118 breast masses in total ) before surgery. The maximum elastic modulus (Emax) and the elastic ratio to surroun

ding normal tissues (Ratio) were measured. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was carried out with pathological results as the gold standard to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the two alone and in combination.

Results:

The area under curve (AUC) of elastic parameter Emax and Ratio values in the diagnosis of BI-RADS type 4 breast masses were 0.880 and 0.902 respectively

and the accuracy were 79.7 % and 85.6 % respectively. When the two methods were used together

the accuracy of diagnosing BI-RADS type 4 breast masses was increased to 92.4 %.

Conclusion:

SWE elastic parameters Emax and Ratio have high diagnostic value in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant BI-RADS type 4 breast masses. The combination of ultrasonic BI-RADS classification and the two parameters can improve the diagnostic accuracy.