J Comput Assist Tomogr 2005; 29:772-779.
Miyake K, Hayakawa K, Nishino M, Nakamura Y, Morimoto T, Urata Y, Ueda H, Tanikake M, Kanao S, Shiozaki T, Yamamoto A.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate enhancement effects of breast lesions with dynamic computed tomography (CT) and to determine characteristics to aid in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions.
METHODS: One hundred seventy-six women underwent preoperative dynamic CT, in which they were scanned with rapid injection of contrast media (3 mL/s) after 30 seconds and 2 minutes (early and delayed phases, respectively). The CT values and enhancement patterns of malignant lesions (n = 154) were compared with those of benign lesions (n = 22), and the cut point of CT values with the best validity was analyzed.
RESULTS: The CT values of malignant lesions were higher than those of benign lesions in both phases (P < 0.0001). The cut point was determined to be 60 Hounsfield units (HU) in the early phase (44% validity, 90% sensitivity). Washout and plateau patterns were more commonly seen in the malignant group (73% specificity).
CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of enhancement effects on CT may lead to more appropriate differentiation of benign and malignant lesions.