Ultrasound mammography: a comparison with radiographic mammography.

Abstract

The results of 1029 ultrasound B-scan examinations of the breast using 2 automated water-path scanners were correlated with histopathology data in 278 women who had undergone biopsy. Of the 1029 patients, 709 had both ultrasound mammograms (USM) and radiographic mammograms (XRM). A sensitivity for breast cancer of 69% was found for USM and 74% for XRM on initial independent readings when there was no knowledge of clinical data. These are not statistically different using the McNemar test for paired comparisons. When the USM were reinterpreted with the knowledge of the patient''s age, history, physical examination and, when available, the XRM interpretation, the USM sensitivity for breast cancer was 79%.