Author(s)

FeiFei Shan¹, JunQi Sun^2*

Affiliation(s)

¹Ultrasound Diagnosis Department, Yuebei People's Hospital, Shaoguan 512027, Guangdong, China.

²Radiology Department,Yuebei People's Hospital, Shaoguan 512027, Guangdong, China.

Corresponding Author

JunQi Sun

ABSTRACT

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide, and early and accurate detection is critical for effective treatment. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) are widely used for breast cancer diagnosis, each modality has inherent limitations. MRI/ultrasound fusion imaging combines the strengths of both techniques, offering enhanced diagnostic capabilities.

Objective: This study evaluates the impact of MRI/ultrasound fusion imaging on the diagnostic accuracy of breast cancer, focusing on lesion localization, characterization, and clinical utility in guiding biopsy and treatment planning.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 59 patients with suspicious breast lesions who underwent both MRI and ultrasound imaging. MRI/ultrasound fusion imaging was performed to combine high-resolution MRI data with real-time ultrasound. Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were compared across standalone MRI, ultrasound, and fusion imaging. 

Results: MRI/ultrasound fusion imaging demonstrated significantly higher diagnostic accuracy (89.8%) compared to MRI (84.7%) and ultrasound (81.3%) alone. Sensitivity and specificity for fusion imaging were 97.9% and 58.3%, respectively. It also facilitated real-time targeted biopsy with improved precision.

Conclusion: MRI/ultrasound fusion imaging significantly enhances the diagnostic accuracy of breast cancer detection . MRI/ultrasound fusion imaging may be a valuable tool for clinical practice.

KEYWORDS

MRI/ultrasound fusion; Breast lesion; MRI; Ultrasound

CITE THIS PAPER

FeiFei Shan, JunQi Sun. MRI/ultasound fusion increase diagnostic accuracy of breast lesion. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research. 2024, 6(4): 55-60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61784/jpmr3025.

REFERENCES

[1] Saito M, Banno H, Ito Y, et al. Evaluation of the intramammary distribution of breast lesions detected by MRI but not conventional second-look B-mode ultrasound using an MRI/ultrasound fusion technique. BMC Med Imaging, 2024, 24(1): 200.

[2] Bai D, Zhou N, Liu X, et al. The diagnostic value of multimodal imaging based on MR combined with ultrasound in benign and malignant breast diseases. Clin Exp Med, 2024, 24(1): 110. 

[3] Sakakibara J, Nagashima T, Fujimoto H, et al. A review of MRI (CT)/US fusion imaging in treatment of breast cancer. J Med Ultrason (2001), 2023, 50(3): 367-373. 

[4] Goto M, Nakano S, Saito M, et al. Evaluation of an MRI/US fusion technique for the detection of non-mass enhancement of breast lesions detected by MRI yet occult on conventional B-mode second-look US. J Med Ultrason (2001), 2022, 49(2): 269-278.

[5] Nikolaev AV, de Jong L, Weijers G, et al. Quantitative Evaluation of an Automated Cone-Based Breast Ultrasound Scanner for MRI-3D US Image Fusion. IEEE Trans Med Imaging, 2021, 40(4): 1229-1239. 

[6] Yoon GY, Eom HJ, Choi WJ, et al. Feasibility of supine MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)-navigated ultrasound in breast cancer patients. Asian J Surg, 2020, 43(8): 787-794.

[7] Aribal E. MRI-detected breast lesions: clinical implications and evaluation based on MRI/ultrasonography fusion technology. Jpn J Radiol, 2020, 38(1): 94-95.  

[8] Nakashima K, Uematsu T, Harada TL, et al. MRI-detected breast lesions: clinical implications and evaluation based on MRI/ultrasonography fusion technology. Jpn J Radiol, 2019, 37(10): 685-693.

[9] Ando T, Ito Y, Ido M, et al. Pre-Operative Planning Using Real-Time Virtual Sonography, an MRI/ Ultrasound Image Fusion Technique, for Breast-Conserving Surgery in Patients with Non-Mass Enhancement on Breast MRI: A Preliminary Study. Ultrasound Med Biol, 2018, 44(7): 1364-1370. 

[10] Park AY, Seo BK, Han H, et al. Clinical Value of Real-Time Ultrasonography-MRI Fusion Imaging for Second-Look Examination in Preoperative Breast Cancer Patients: Additional Lesion Detection and Treatment Planning. Clin Breast Cancer, 2018, 18(4): 261-269.

[11] Park AY, Seo BK. Real-Time MRI Navigated Ultrasound for Preoperative Tumor Evaluation in Breast Cancer Patients: Technique and Clinical Implementation. Korean J Radiol, 2016, 17(5): 695-705. 

[12] Kucukkaya F, Aribal E, Tureli D, et al. Use of a Volume Navigation Technique for Combining Real-Time Ultrasound and Contrast-Enhanced MRI: Accuracy and Feasibility of a Novel Technique for Locating Breast Lesions. AJR Am J Roentgenol, 2016, 206(1): 217-225.

[13] Pons EP, Azcón FM, Casas MC, et al. Real-time MRI navigated US: role in diagnosis and guided biopsy of incidental breast lesions and axillary lymph nodes detected on breast MRI but not on second look US. Eur J Radiol, 2014, 83(6): 942-950. 

[14] Nakano S, Kousaka J, Fujii K, et al. Impact of real-time virtual sonography, a coordinated sonography and MRI system that uses an image fusion technique, on the sonographic evaluation of MRI-detected lesions of the breast in second-look sonography. Breast Cancer Res Treat, 2012, 134(3): 1179-1188.