ABSTRACT
Background: Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in women all over the world and the second commonest cause of malignancy-related death. The presence of axillary lymph nodes is still an considerable prognostic item in early breast malignancy.
Aim of the work: To assess the accuracy of the breast elastography in the evaluation of the axillary lymph node in female patients with suspected breast cancer lesions (BIRADS 4, 5).
Patients and methods: The study included 30 female patients; their ages are between 28 and 65 years. Ultrasound, Strain and Shear wave elastography examinations for their axillary lymph nodes (L.N.s) were done and imaging results of each modality were evaluated individually. This was correlated with pathological diagnosis.
Results: Considering conventional Ultrasound criteria, cortical thickness is the criterion of the highest sensitivity (100% sensitivity) for detecting the malignant LNs. Followed by the vascular pattern. Eratio had the highest indices compared to the rest of elastography criteria (qualitative or Emax.) of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy (76.8%, 100%, 84.5% respectively).
Conclusions: Elastography examinations have no significant value over conventional ultrasound alone.