Ultrasound-Based Speed-of-Sound Measurement for Breast Density Characterization – Can Deniz Bezek

Being low-cost, non-ionizing, and real-time, ultrasound (US) is a widely used medical imaging modality. Typical B-mode US images display the reflectivity of tissue structures, which however is only qualitative information. Speed-of-sound (SoS) is an emerging biomechanical marker and may therefore provide independent information on tissue composition and pathological state. 

Breast density is a strong predictor of risk for breast cancer, which frequently develops in dense tissue regions. Breast density is typically evaluated using X-ray mammography. However, sensitivity of mammography is reduced with increasing breast density. Therefore, patients with high mammographic breast density may be required to undergo additional examinations, to improve diagnostic sensitivity.

In this talk, I will present a novel analytical SoS estimation method using conventional US machines and demonstrate its promising utility for breast density assessment. In a study with 100 patients, our SoS estimations were found to be highly repeatable, with values strongly correlating with m-ACR assessments.

About Can Deniz Bezek