Study on Improving Accuracy of Ultrasound Mammary Gland Examination - Investigation of Secondary Examination Finding -

Abstract

Objective: The subject of breast cancer examinations has been gaining attention in recent years due to the increasing number of breast cancer sufferers, and more and more patients are undergoing such examinations every year. As a result, there has also been an increase in the number of examinees requiring secondary examinations. We carried out an investigation of ultrasound observations at our institution to review criteria for secondary examinations.
Methods: 3,952 examinees who underwent ultrasound mammary gland examinations during the period from June 2005 to the end of March 2009 were selected as subjects. Diagnostic images from both initial and secondary examinations were evaluated based on comments from the radiologists who actually conducted the examinations with the consent of two medical specialists. We carried out the investigation of secondary examination cases by comparing the images and observations from the initial examinations with those from the secondary examinations.
Results: Of the total of 3,952 subjects who underwent ultrasound mammary gland examinations, 341 (8.6%) were categorized as C2. A total of 122 subjects underwent secondary examinations. Details of the observations are as follows: Fibroadenoma (96 cases), intraductal papilloma (14 cases), suspected low echo nodule (9 cases), suspicious low echo area (1 case), cyst (1 case), mastopathy (1 case). The prognosis for 106 subjects remained unchanged after the secondary examination while the prognosis for 10 subjects was revised to a less serious level and for 6 subjects to a more serious level.
Conclusion: The prognosis for most of the subjects who underwent secondary examinations was fibroadenoma with no changes in size or form. Based on these results, we believe that if secondary examination criteria were reviewed and typical fibroadenoma removed from them, this would not only improve the accuracy of examinations but also help to alleviate the psychological trauma suffered by patients and reduce medical expenses. It is also our view that continued investigation of secondary examination cases will further enhance the accuracy of examinations.