Better Tumor Recognition: New Ultrasound Software

2007-Aug-23 |   Examinations for the characterization of breast lesions have become easier, thanks to a new Siemens software for ultrasound breast imaging. The new imaging method calculates and displays the relative stiffness of tissue, which has the potential to indicate the status of a lesion. This enables physicians to respond more rapidly and has the potential to eliminate the need to conduct uncomfortable invasive procedures, such as a biopsy. The first clinical evaluations have already been successfully completed.

The new method is known as elasticity imaging and uses the mechanical properties of tissue. It can be performed with a standard ultrasound transducer to differentiate between hardness and softness of tissue, displaying soft tissue as a light tone and hard tissue as a dark tone. Because tumors and lesions can have different characteristics than healthy tissue, elasticity imaging may be used to display tissue characteristics in breast examinations. In principle, the examination is comparable to palpation, in which physicians determine the shape and hardness of tissue structures by means of a manual examination. For the sake of certainty, today biopsies still need to confirm the results of the elasticity imaging technique. Biopsies involve inserting a needle into the breast, removing a tissue sample, and then examining it for tumors.

Further clinical studies are needed to prove that using eSie Touch™ elasticity imaging, currently available on the Acuson Antares™ ultrasound system from Siemens Medical Solutions, has the potential to reduce the number of biopsies.

A study recently conducted by Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine and Radiology in the U.S. indicates that the system helps clinicians to better assess tissue condition. The results of the study show that 122 of 123 lesions examined by eSie Touch elasticity imaging were accurately diagnosed, as confirmed by subsequent biopsies. By contrast, experts estimate that around 75 percent of all biopsies taken after conventional imaging that indicated the possible presence of a tumor turned out to be negative. Having fewer biopsies not only reduces the number of invasive procedures that need to be performed, but also the waiting time for results. This, in turn, improves patient care and may help to reduce the cost of healthcare.