Lymphatic Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound as a Noninvasive Predictor of Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis in Breast Cancer: A Prospective Diagnostic Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) using radioisotopes/blue dye remains limited by radiation exposure and logistical constraints. This study prospectively evaluates lymphatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (L-CEUS) for SLN mapping and metastasis detection in early-stage breast cancer.

Methods

A total of 251 consecutive patients underwent L-CEUS-guided SLN biopsy. Enhancement patterns (Types I-V) and filling defects were correlated with histopathology. Diagnostic performance was compared to conventional ultrasound parameters and surgical SLNB (n = 102).

Results

L-CEUS successfully localized SLNs in 98.4% (247/251) of cases. Using Types III-V enhancement as metastatic criteria, L-CEUS demonstrated 99.0% sensitivity and 88.1% specificity (AUC 0.935). Incorporatin

SUBMITTER: Yao J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12534311 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature