Nouveautés techniques en échographie mammaire

Breast cancer is the most common female cancer and the second cause of cancer-related mortality in women. Mammography is the gold standard method for breast imaging but is not an optimal screening tool, especially in cases of dense breast parenchyma. Even when optimally performed, its sensitivity ranges between 69% and 90%.Ultrasound is an additional diagnostic tool, which raises the detection rate of benign and malignant breast lesions. It is the method of choice for differentiating solid from cystic lesions, for further characterizing mammographic findings and better appreciating palpable breast lesions. B-mode ultrasonography is used in everyday practice. Harmonic imaging and compound imaging can be used to increase the image contrast and resolution. Color doppler is used for studying lesion vascularization; however, there is no consensus as to whether it actually differentiates malignant from benign lesions. New technical developments such as breast elastography, contrast agents, and 3D ultrasound are promising methods for the future.