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. 2012 Dec;46(4):284-95.
doi: 10.2478/v10019-012-0033-z. Epub 2012 Nov 9.

Ultrasound elastography as an objective diagnostic measurement tool for lymphoedema of the treated breast in breast cancer patients following breast conserving surgery and radiotherapy

Nele Adriaenssens  1 , Dries Belsack, Ronald Buyl, Leonardo Ruggiero, Catherine Breucq, Johan De Mey, Pierre Lievens, Jan Lamote
Affiliations

Ultrasound elastography as an objective diagnostic measurement tool for lymphoedema of the treated breast in breast cancer patients following breast conserving surgery and radiotherapy

Nele Adriaenssens et al. Radiol Oncol. 2012 Dec.

Abstract

BACKGROUND.: Lymphoedema of the operated and irradiated breast is a common complication following early breast cancer treatment. There is no consensus on objective diagnostic criteria and standard measurement tools. This study investigates the use of ultrasound elastography as an objective quantitative measurement tool for the diagnosis of parenchymal breast oedema. PATIENTS AND METHODS.: The elasticity ratio of the subcutis, measured with ultrasound elastography, was compared with high-frequency ultrasound parameters and subjective symptoms in twenty patients, bilaterally, prior to and following breast conserving surgery and breast irradiation. RESULTS.: Elasticity ratio of the subcutis of the operated breast following radiation therapy increased in 88.9% of patients, was significantly higher than prior to surgery, unlike the non operated breast and significantly higher than the non operated breast, unlike preoperative results. These results were significantly correlated with visibility of the echogenic line, measured with high-frequency ultrasound. Big preoperative bra cup size was a significant risk factor for the development of breast oedema. CONCLUSIONS.: Ultrasound elastography is an objective quantitative measurement tool for the diagnosis of parenchymal breast oedema, in combination with other objective diagnostic criteria. Further research with longer follow-up and more patients is necessary to confirm our findings.

Keywords: breast conserving surgery; breast irradiation; breast oedema; early breast cancer; lymphoedema of the breast; ultrasound elastography.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
An example of a breast gauge.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Position of the ultrasound probe in the four quadrants and the inframammary fold of the breast, perpendicular to the nipple.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Elastogram with a region of interest (ROI) in two tissues with different elasticity.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
The elastogram with 3 ROI’s (yellow, gel pad; blue, skin; pink, subcutis) and the strain graph with three matching curves. The strain values are displayed underneath, respectively 0.416, 0.037, 0.404. Images were taken in the IIQ of an operated breast.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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