Solid breast nodules: Use of sonography to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions

Using rigorous criteria to interpret the findings from a high-frequency ultrasound examination of the breast, it is possible to differentiate many benign from malignant lesions.

Key message

The vast majority of lesions detected by mammography or clinical examination are benign. However, in many cases the only accurate method for differentiating benign solid lesions from malignant solid lesions is a tissue biopsy. If imaging can be used to accurately separate lesions that do not require biopsy from those that do, many biopsies with benign results may be avoided.