Power Doppler sonography of breast masses: correlation of Doppler spectral parameters with tumor angiogenesis and histologic growth pattern

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between spectral analysis on power Doppler sonography and microvessel density. Power Doppler sonography was performed in 71 patients with breast masses (36 invasive carcinomas and 35 benign lesions). Microvessel density was measured in surgical specimens from all breast carcinomas using anti-factor VIII-related antibody. Invasive carcinomas were divided into two groups according to their growth pattern (solid type, scirrhous type). The pulsatility index and resistive index were high in malignant tumors compared with those in benign lesions (P < 0.001). The maximum velocity had weak statistical significance (P < 0.05). Although the correlation of maximum velocity with microvessel density was strong in solid tumors (P < 0.001), the maximum intensity in scirrhous tumors had no correlation with microvessel density. In conclusion, solid tumors showed a tendency toward correlation of maximum velocity with microvessel density. High maximum velocity with high microvessel density suggests breast carcinoma and could be predictive of a poor prognosis in invasive breast carcinoma.