3D Ultrasound-Based Evaluation of Lesions in the Uncompressed Breast

Summary

Ultrasound-based evaluation of breast lesions is most often performed by recognizing characteristic ultrasonic properties of the findings, such as shape, orientation, border characteristics, and echogenicity. During traditional ultrasound examination of the breast, the patient lies supine, and the ultrasound probe is moved manually over the breast. Probe pressure must be applied to ensure good acoustic contact to the tissue. By applying pressure, however, the true shape characteristics of the suspected lesions are distorted and tissues or lesions may be displaced. Further, the examination technique is not systematic and the result is user dependent. Systematic 3D breast scanning minimizes the user dependency of the examination and makes the reporting of findings easier. One advantage of 3D ultrasound is the ability to view arbitrary 2D scan planes, to evaluate size and shape of findings. True evaluation of these parameters, however, requires a scanning performed on the uncompressed breast. A system for systematic 3D scanning of the uncompressed breast has been developed. During examination, the patient lies prone on an examination bed, with the breast immersed in a water-filled cup. A transducer is moved in a systematic rotational pattern, covering the full breast. Compound imaging techniques minimize shadow and enhancement artifacts before 3D reconstruction.