To Determine the Role of Sonoelastography in Differentiating Benign and Malignant Lesions of the Breast

Background: Breast cancer remains a leading cause of mortality among women globally. Differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions is crucial for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Sonoelastography, specifically Virtual Touch Quantification (VTQ), offers a non-invasive method to assess tissue stiffness, enhancing diagnostic accuracy beyond conventional ultrasound. Aim: To evaluate the role of VTQ sonoelastography in differentiating benign and malignant breast lesions and assess its diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted over 18 months on female patients with palpable breast lumps at a tertiary hospital in Udaipur. All patients underwent B-mode ultrasound, VTQ elastography, and histopathological correlation. Results: VTQ scores <70 kPa indicated benign lesions; >100 kPa suggested malignancy with 100% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity. Intermediate scores were useful in stratifying BI-RADS 3 and 4A lesions. Conclusion: VTQ sonoelastography is a valuable adjunct in breast lesion evaluation, improving diagnostic precision and reducing unnecessary biopsies.