Breast sonoelastography: Now and in the future

Diagn Interv Imaging. 2019 Oct;100(10):567-577. doi: 10.1016/j.diii.2019.03.009. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify practice trends and opinions concerning breast sonoelastography in two different health care systems, one in Europe (France) and the other in North America (Province of Québec/Canada).

Materials and methods: We distributed an 11-item online survey among French and Canadian breast radiologists. The survey comprised of four sections: (i) personal practice characteristics, (ii) breast sonoelastography usage in daily practice and evaluation of its usefulness, (iii) limitations and roles of sonoelastogrpahy in their clinical practice, and (iv) types of elastographic technique and interpretation.

Results: We found that sonoelastography of the breast appears unpopular among Canadian radiologists, and poorly credible among French radiologists, who perceive it as an unreliable technique. To date, its real impact in clinical practice remains uncertain.

Conclusion: Continued learning and awareness of the indications, advantages and limitations of breast sonoelastography may motivate breast radiologists to adopt its use.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Breast sonoelastography; Breast ultrasound; Shear-wave elastography; Strain elastography.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Breast / diagnostic imaging*
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques*
  • Female
  • France
  • Humans
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data*
  • Quebec
  • Radiologists / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Ultrasonography, Mammary*