Solid breast masses : Classification with computer-aided analysis of continuous US images obtained with probe compression

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the accuracy of continuous ultrasonographic (US) images obtained during probe compression and computer-aided analysis for classification of biopsy-proved (reference standard) benign and malignant breast tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by the local ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from all included patients. Serial US images of 100 solid breast masses (60 benign and 40 malignant tumors) were obtained with US probe compression in 86 patients (mean age, 45 years; range, 20–67 years). After segmentation of tumor contours with the level-set method, three features of strain on tissue from probe compression—contour difference, shift distance, area difference—and one feature of shape—solidity—were computed. A maximum margin classifier was used to classify the tumors by using these four features. The Student t test and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean values of contour ...