[Color-coded signal-enhanced duplex ultrasonography of space-occupying intramammary processes].

OBJECTIVE

Prospective comparison of plain and signal-enhanced frequency and amplitude-modulated colour Doppler ultrasound of intramammary tumours to evaluate new criteria for diagnostic analysis.

METHODS

Frequency and amplitude-modulated colour Doppler examination with qualitative and quantitative analysis of 80 potentially malignant intramammary lesions were performed before and after application of d-galactose.

RESULTS

Signal-enhanced sonography revealed a typical vessel morphology of primary and recurrent breast cancer facilitating differential diagnosis. In 18 (frequency modulated US) or 16 (amplitude modulated US) of 51 carcinomas, the typical malignant vascularisation structure was sufficiently visible only after application of the signal enhancing agent. In 50% of the fibroadenomas, Doppler analysis of the vessels was possible only after application of d-galactose.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of d-galactose provides additional criteria for the differential diagnosis of breast lesions due to improved visualisation of the vascularisation structure.