International Journal of Medical and Health Research

Authors
Shikha Saxena, Dr. Atul Saxena

Abstract
Background: Most breast cancers occur in women older than 50 years. So to reduce the lesions to occur, the exact identification of the pathology is very essential in order to achieve the best treatment option for the patient. Among various imaging modalities that are available with us, ultrasonography (USG) is the important one. The present study was conducted to establish the role of ultrasound (USG) in assessment of palpable breast masses. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of Radiodiagnosis in year 2015. It included 85 women presented to the department of obstectrics and gynaecology with palpable breast masses. FNAC was performed in first visit. Ultrasonograph was done using 3.5 MHz tranducer. The masses were evaluated according to their margins, internal echoes, posterior echoes, depth-width ratio and compressibility. Lesions were classified either benign or malignant depending on presence of malignant findings. If no findings were seen then it was labeled as benign. If > 50% finding were seen then was labelled as malignant and intermediate if findings were < 49%. Results: Age group 30- 40 years consisted of 5 patients, 40-50 years had 32 patients and 50-60 years comprised of 48 patients. The difference was significant (P- 0.05). 59 lesions were benign (70%), 8 (10%) were intermediate and 18 (20%) were malignant. The difference was significant (P- 0.05). Histopathology report showed that 52 lesions were benign, 20 were malignant and 13 were inconclusive. Whereas USG reported that 59 were benign and 18 were malignant. Margins were well defined (50), smooth (4) and lobulated (5). Internal echoes were homogenous (38), anechoic (4) and hypoechoic (40). Lesion was compressible in 48 cases. 5 had either ill defined or irregular margins. 1 showed echogenic rim and in 9 cases internal echoes was inhomogenous. Conclusion: Maximum cases were seen in older women more than 50 years of age. Ultrasonography proved to be beneficial in detecting palpable breast masses.