Title: Efficient analysis and evaluation of elasticity of breast tumours using ultrasound in Indian women

Authors: J. Jean Rossario Raj; Sneh Anand

Addresses: Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, Delhi, India ' Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, Delhi, India

Abstract: Ultrasound elastography is a non-invasive technique that evaluates the elasticity of the tumour, as stiffness is more in malignant tumours. The venture is to expertly diagnose and differentiate between malignant and benign tumours by combining various ultrasound imaging modes. The ultrasound elasticity was performed on 72 patients having breast tumours. The ultrasound machine had imaging and quantification options. Images were classified into five categories according to the BIRADS score. The strain rate from the region of interest and the normal tissues were calculated. In imaging, the mapping of 'RGB' colour alignment was displayed. In the quantification option, the shear wave velocity measurements were estimated. Analysis of benign and malignant tumour growth showed significant results, with 94.7% sensitivity, 90.6% specificity and 91.7% accuracy in differentiating tumour growths. The diagnostic ability was enhanced by the combination of B-mode with acoustic radiation force impulse and then calculating the strain rate in ultrasound elasticity.

Keywords: acoustic radiation force impulse; B-mode; BIRADS; breast tumours; tumour elasticity; India; Indian women; ultrasound elastography; malignant tumours; benign tumours; ultrasound imaging; cancer diagnosis; colour alignment; shear wave velocity measurements.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBET.2015.070572

International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, 2015 Vol.18 No.3, pp.227 - 239

Received: 23 Nov 2014
Accepted: 10 Feb 2015
Published online: 10 Jul 2015 *

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