Significance of Shear Wave Elastography and B-Mode Ultrasound in Assessing Axillary Lymph Nodes in Patients with Breast Cancer

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential benefits of including shear wave elastography (SWE) testing alongside B-Mode ultrasonography (US) in identifying morphologic abnormalities in individuals diagnosed with breast cancer involving axillary lymph nodes (ALNs).Methods: Fifty-seven patients with breast cancer whose ALN spread was investigated were included in this study.Lymph nodes were evaluated using B-Mode US to determine cortical thickness, absence of fatty hilum, presence of a non-hilar blood supply, and a long axis to short axis ratio greater than two.The same patients were evaluated using SWE.Following the assessment of SWE, a core biopsy of the lymph nodes was performed using US guidance. Results:A biopsy was performed in 57 patients.A total of 45 patients exhibited lymph node metastases, whereas the remaining 12 patients exhibited reactive lymph node hyperplasia.The Emax of the cortex exhibited a higher degree of specificity than the cortical thickness (81.8% vs. 72.7%).The specificity was found to be equal (90.9%) between the combination of Emax of the cortex and cortical thickness, as well as between at least two B-Mode US characteristics. Conclusion:In conclusion, SWE is valuable for distinguishing between metastases and reactive hyperplasia in individuals exhibiting suspicious features on B-Mode US of ALNs.