High-resolution ultrasonographic features of axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer

High-resolution ultrasonographic features of axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer
Yoon Jung Choi, Eun Young Ko, Boo-Kyung Han, Jung Hee Shin, Seok Seon Kang, Soo Yeon Hahn
The Breast 18 (2009) 119–122

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US features known to accurately predict metastasis in axillary lymph nodes could be used at the time of the preoperative breast US to determine the need for FNA, SLN or ALND. Results of the present study indicate that a cortical thickness greater than 3 mm is the most reliable US feature predicting a metastasis, with sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV around 70%. For the L/S ratio, those parameters were only 52–65% accurate

Recent advances in high-resolution US allow examination of more detailed features of lymph nodes, such as cortex shape and internal hilar echogenicity, which may prove to be useful indicators of metastasis. Our results showed that the absence of a hilum had high specificity, but low sensitivity. Previous studies found that a hyperechogenic hilum indicated a benign lymph node, and loss of normal echogenicity had moderate to high specificity for metastasis

Predicting the status of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer: A multiparameter approach including axillary ultrasound scanning

Predicting the status of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer: A multiparameter approach including axillary ultrasound scanning
Tommaso Susini, Jacopo Nori, Simone Olivieri, Cecilia Molino, Giulia Marini, Simonetta Bianchi, Vania Vezzosi, Lorenzo Livi, Mario Mascalchi, Gianfranco Scarselli

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Axillary US along with tumor site within the breast and Ki-67 proliferation index allowed reliable prediction of axillary metastases risk. These findings still require prospective validation in a larger sample of women. If our preliminary results will be confirmed, this multiparameter evaluation may be used to optimize the selection of breast cancer patients candidate to sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection