The efficacy of automated breast volume scanning over conventional ultrasonography among patients with breast lesions

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of automated breast volume scanning (ABVS) with that of conventional ultrasonography in the detection of breast cancer lesions. METHODS: In a retrospective study, patients aged 18-78 years who had breast cancer, had undergone screening using ABVS and conventional ultrasonography, and provided a biopsy sample at a center in Changsha, China, between July 22, 2011, and September 20, 2014, were identified. Results of ultrasonography and ABVS were compared. RESULTS: A total of 417 lesions were detected among 300 patients. Ultrasonography detected 326 lesions, whereas ABVS detected all 417 (P<0.001). ABVS detected all 32 malignant lesions and ultrasonography detected 31 (P=0.158). Conventional ultrasonography identified microcalcifications in only two cases, whereas ABVS reported these in eight cases (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: ABVS detects significantly more breast lesions than conventional ultrasonography does.