Future of breast elastography

Abstract

Both strain elastography and shear wave elastography have been shown to have high sensitivity and specificity for characterizing breast lesions as benign or malignant. Training is important for both strain and shear wave elastography. The unique feature of benign lesions measuring smaller on elastography than B-mode imaging and malignant lesions appearing larger on elastography is an important feature for characterization of breast masses. There are several artifacts which can contain diagnostic information or alert to technique problems. Both strain and shear wave elastography continue to have improvements and new techniques will soon be available for clinical use that may provide additional diagnostic information. This paper reviews the present state of breast elastography and discusses future techniques that are not yet in clinical practice.

Keywords

• Breast
• Elasticity imaging techniques
• Strain
• Shear wave
• Strain ratio
• Breast neoplasms