Combining the Ultrasound Features of Primary Tumor and Axillary Lymph Nodes Can Reduce False-Negative Rate during the Prediction of High Axillary Node Burden in BI-RADS Category 4 or 5 Breast Cancer Lesions

The purpose of this study was to determine whether incorporation of the ultrasound (US) features of the primary tumor and axillary lymph node (ALN) could improve the prediction of high axillary nodal burden (HNB) and, thus, avoid unnecessary sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). A total of 347 patients with Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System US category 4 or 5 breast cancer lesions were included. Their pre-operative US features and post-operative pathologic results were collected. The patients were then divided into the following groups based on surgical histology: limited nodal burden (LNB: 0 –2 LNs involved) and heavy nodal burden (HNB: ≥3 metastatic LNs).

Source: Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology - May 21, 2020 Category: Radiology Authors: Chun-Bei Yi, Zhi-Ying Ding, Jing Deng, Xin-Hua Ye, Lin Chen, Min Zong, Cui-Ying Li Tags: Original Contribution Source Type: research