Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 7, Issue 2 77-81, Copyright © 1988 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
High frequency breast ultrasound. Hand-held versus automated units; examination for palpable mass versus screening
C. Kimme-Smith, L. W. Bassett and R. H. Gold
Department of Radiological Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine 90024.
Four hundred forty-five patients had one or more breast ultrasound
examinations with equipment from six manufacturers, operating at 5, 7.5, or
10 MHz. Two hundred seven patients were examined by both automated and
hand-held units. In revealing cysts and solid masses, the automated and
hand-held units performed nearly identically. Of 198 patients who had
screening mammograms, ultrasound evaluation revealed that 85 (43%) had
cysts, while 32 (16%) had solid masses. Of the 207 patients who had
diagnostic mammograms for a palpable mass, 63 (30.4%) had cysts, while an
equal number had solid masses. Of 45 solid masses from both groups that
were imaged and biopsied, all 15 that were malignant were palpable. No
nonpalpable malignancies were found by ultrasound alone.
