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. 2023 Apr;42(4):817-832.
doi: 10.1002/jum.16047. Epub 2022 Jul 8.

Breast Ultrasound Volume Sweep Imaging: A New Horizon in Expanding Imaging Access for Breast Cancer Detection

Thomas J Marini  1 , Benjamin Castaneda  2 , Radha Iyer  1 , Timothy M Baran  1 , Omar Nemer  1 , Ann M Dozier  1 , Kevin J Parker  1 , Yu Zhao  1 , William Serratelli  1 , Gregory Matos  1 , Shania Ali  1 , Bishoy Ghobryal  1 , Adam Visca  1 , Avice O'Connell  1
Affiliations

Breast Ultrasound Volume Sweep Imaging: A New Horizon in Expanding Imaging Access for Breast Cancer Detection

Thomas J Marini et al. J Ultrasound Med. 2023 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: The majority of people in the world lack basic access to breast diagnostic imaging resulting in delay to diagnosis of breast cancer. In this study, we tested a volume sweep imaging (VSI) ultrasound protocol for evaluation of palpable breast lumps that can be performed by operators after minimal training without prior ultrasound experience as a means to increase accessibility to breast ultrasound.

Methods: Medical students without prior ultrasound experience were trained for less than 2 hours on the VSI breast ultrasound protocol. Patients presenting with palpable breast lumps for standard of care ultrasound examination were scanned by a trained medical student with the VSI protocol using a Butterfly iQ handheld ultrasound probe. Video clips of the VSI scan imaging were later interpreted by an attending breast imager. Results of VSI scan interpretation were compared to the same-day standard of care ultrasound examination.

Results: Medical students scanned 170 palpable lumps with the VSI protocol. There was 97% sensitivity and 100% specificity for a breast mass on VSI corresponding to 97.6% agreement with standard of care (Cohen's κ = 0.95, P < .0001). There was a detection rate of 100% for all cancer presenting as a sonographic mass. High agreement for mass characteristics between VSI and standard of care was observed, including 87% agreement on Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System assessments (Cohen's κ = 0.82, P < .0001).

Conclusions: Breast ultrasound VSI for palpable lumps offers a promising means to increase access to diagnostic imaging in underserved areas. This approach could decrease delay to diagnosis for breast cancer, potentially improving morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: breast; breast cancer; global health; telemedicine; ultrasound.

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