3-D Doppler May Reveal Malignant Breast Lesions

According to an article in MedPage Today, in a group of women with suspicious breast lesions, 3-D power Doppler assessment of lesion vascularity had a 100% sensitivity and 86% specificity, Gerald L. LeCarpentier, Ph.D., of the University of Michigan, and colleagues reported in the November issue of Radiology.

If the results are borne out in larger studies, the imaging technique has the potential to spare some women from biopsies.

"Using speed-weighted 3-D power Doppler ultrasound, higher flow velocities in the malignant tumor-feeding vessels may be detected, whereas vessels with slower flow velocities in surrounding benign masses may be excluded," said Dr. LeCarpentier.

While additional study is required to confirm the potential, the small study using the hand-held 3-D Dopper device showed promise for the elimination of some surgical biopsies.

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