Ultrasound breast imaging versus pathology; correlation of reported benign ultrasound scans with subsequent biopsy

In the absence of any suspicious mammographic findings, lesions that appear benign with ultrasound yield benign pathology [1–5].

This retrospective study investigated the outcome of needle biopsy of ultrasonically benign appearing masses. The sample group included patients attending a symptomatic breast clinic at a busy London teaching hospital, from 2000 to 2003. Eight hundred and seventy-two cases fulfilled the following criteria: a solid mass graded U2, and an absence of any suspicious mammographic findings (M1/M2), if mammogram performed. A definitive pathological result had been obtained from fine needle aspiration cytology (FNA) or wide-bore needle biopsy (WBN). Cases also had a follow-up period of 18 months following FNA or WBN; 872 cases fulfilled this inclusion criteria. The results demonstrated 865 cases (99.2%) were true negatives and seven cases (0.8%) were false negatives.

This revealed that there is a strong positive correlation with benign appearing breast masses seen with ultrasound and their respective pathological findings. The recommendations are to continue with further study to include all cases (not just benign). Also to develop a standardised reporting system, particularly for the training of junior staff members.