Evaluation of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients with clinically negative axilla using contrast enhanced ultrasonography.

ABSTRACT

Contrast enhanced ultrasonography enables dynamic evaluation of the microvasculature down to the capillaries when using high resolution ultrasound probes. It's application in the evaluation of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients with clinically negative axilla has been studied in 42 patients. The results of pre operative CEUS evaluation was correlated with histopathology status of axillary nodes after the harvesting of nodes during modified radical mastectomy or sentinel node biopsy. Heterogeneous enhancement with micro bubbles of the axillary nodes was found to be the most distinguishing criteria for malignant nodes.