Breast cancer evaluated by contrast harmonic imaging using the pulse inversion method: Report of a case

A 54-year-old woman was admitted to this institution for further examination and treatment of a mass in the fight breast. The mass was a palpable hard lump that measured approximately 2 cm in diameter. Breast cancer was strongly suspected, and ultrasound examination was performed. The conventional B-mode image showed a well-defined, hypoechoic mass with a lobulated margin in the right mammary gland; the color Doppler image showed a penetrating feeding vessel and intralesional vessels; and the contrast-enhanced color Doppler image showed intense signals from the intralesional vessels. The feeding and intralesional vessels were clearly shown in B-mode contrast harmonic imaging with pulse inversion. It was suggested that B-mode contrast harmonic imaging with pulse inversion is suitable for detection of tumor vessels in a small, superficial organ such as a mammary gland.