Tissue elasticity imaging with ultrasonography (USG) is used to obtain information about tissue stiffness. Elasticity is the ability of an object to return to its original shape after a force from the outside given. There are three changes to the form known in the review of the elasticity of an object, namely strain, compression and shear. Modulus of elasticity is stress compared to strain, or the stress per unit strain, and is also called as elastic modulus of the material (tissue).
Real-time ultrasound elastography is a further investigation after a detected mass in B-mode, after which pressure is applied lightly using the same transducer. Several studies report that ultrasound elastography diagnostic accuracy in assessing the mass as benign or malignant is similar to conventional ultrasound (sensitivity 89.8%, specificity 88.3%). Elastogram interpretation that is often used is two, namely the value of elasticity (elasticity score) and the ratio of strain (strain ratio). Based on these principle; malignant tumor tissue is rigid, not easily change shape and color with compression, and dark on elastogram, whereas benign tumor is softer, changing as the tissue is compressed and lighter colored. Elastography value can be used as additional data in differentiating malignant or benign mammary tumors particularly when the tumor is found dubious. |