Abstract

Color Doppler sonography: characterizing breast lesions

Author(s): Atif Hashmi, Susan Ackerman and Abid Irshad

This article discusses the utilization of Doppler sonography in the breast. The article encompasses the use of Doppler sonography to differentiate benign from malignant lesions to assess neovascularity in tumors to assess the response after chemotherapy and to differentiate benign from malignant lymph nodes based on various blood-flow patterns. The discussion also incorporates the recent advances in the current literature regarding the value of techniques such as sonoelastography, 3D Doppler imaging and the use of tissue harmonics. While mammography remains the prime modality to evaluate breast lesions, advances in the field of ultrasound demonstrate promising results and future hope for a more specific role of ultrasound in this cause.