Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasonography and Mammography in the Evaluation of Palpable Breast Masses by Taking Histopathology as a Gold Standard

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, breast cancer is the leading cause of death among females. Accurate and early diagnosis by the use of different imaging modalities like ultrasonography and mammography along with histopathology play a crucial role in the detection of breast palpable masses. Objective: To find out the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography and mammography by taking histopathology as a gold standard for the evaluation of palpable breast masses. Materials and Methods:  A cross-sectional analytical study was performed by taking data of 30 patients from Radiological Department of ALLIED HOSPITAL FAISALABAD from March 17, 2024 to April 30, 2024. Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography and mammography was performed to evaluate palpable breast masses along with histopathology as a gold standard. Results: Total sample size in this study was 30 female and mean age was 49.57 years. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value ( PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) , disease prevalence , positive likelihood ratio , negative likelihood ratio and accuracy of ultrasonography for the detection of palpable breast masses is 87.5%, 71.43%,58.33%,, 77.78%, 46.67%, 5.7144, 0.3263 and 80% respectively. While for mammography  Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value ( PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) , disease prevalence , positive likelihood ratio , negative likelihood ratio and accuracy is 57.14%, 43.75%, 53.85%, 46.06%, 55,33%, 1.0204, 0.9837 and  50% respectively. Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for the detection of palpable breast masses is higher in comparison to mammography by taking histopathology as a gold standard.

Keywords: Palpable breast masses, ultrasonography, mammography, histopathology, lymphadenopathy, calcification, BIRADS, cyst, echogenicity differences and density of breast tissues.