Zielsetzung:
Combination of different imaging techniques in fusion devices seems to go along with
an improvement of diagnostic measures. In the diagnostic setting complementary x-ray
mammography and ultrasound are clinical routine. The aim of the study is to test the
feasibility of using an automated standard 3D ultrasound device in fusion with a standard
mammography for the first time in breast cancer patients
Material und Methoden:
Digital mammography and 3D-imaging of automated sonography were obtained from 23 patients
who were referred to the diagnostic breast unit with a highly suspicious breast lesion.
These patients were examined with mammography and 3D ultrasound during the same fixation
process of the breast. For this, a recently developed fusion machine with a newly
developed elastic gauze, which replaces the upper fixation plate and an ABVS 3D ultrasound
transducer from an Acuson S2000 machine and a conventional MAMMOMAT Inspiration (both
from Siemens Healthcare GmbH) were utilized. Examination feasibility, imaging coverage
and patient's experience were examined.
Ergebnisse:
A total of 19 patients were assessable for this study. In 15 of those patients the
region of interest with the tumor was visible on the 3D ultrasound as well and could
be located with a software, that marked the region which was identified in the other
imaging modality. The missing cases were caused by close proximity to the nipple (n
= 2) or the pectoralis muscle (n = 2). Examination was experienced positively by the
patients with no unexpected pain experience or injury to the breast. All used elastic
gauzes stayed intact.
Schlussfolgerungen:
The fusion of an automated standard 3D ultrasound device fused with a standard mammography
system delivers images with comparable diagnostic quality. The examination is very
time efficient and well tolerated by the patients. The obtained experience implied
a superior localization and evaluation of a region of interest compared to standard
combination of mammography and hand held ultrasound.
