Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42217149›Full record

ArticleLa Radiologia medica2026

Exploring shear-wave elastography and apparent diffusion coefficient in breast lesion characterization: diagnostic accuracy and inter-modality correlation.

Francesco Marcello Aricò, Antonio Portaluri, Pasquale Arena, Carmelo Sofia, Elvira Condorelli, Francesca Catanzariti, Valeria Zuccalà, Massimiliano Berretta, Giorgio Ascenti, Maria Adele Marino

Abstract readComparative Study
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Article in La Radiologia medica, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Francesco Marcello AricòBIOMORF Department, Oncologic Imaging Division, University Hospital Policlinico G. Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. france.arico@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4230-8332
Antonio PortaluriBIOMORF Department, Oncologic Imaging Division, University Hospital Policlinico G. Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Pasquale ArenaBIOMORF Department, Oncologic Imaging Division, University Hospital Policlinico G. Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Carmelo SofiaBIOMORF Department, Oncologic Imaging Division, University Hospital Policlinico G. Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Elvira CondorelliBIOMORF Department, Oncologic Imaging Division, University Hospital Policlinico G. Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Francesca CatanzaritiBIOMORF Department, Oncologic Imaging Division, University Hospital Policlinico G. Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Valeria ZuccalàDepartment of Human Pathology of Adults and Developmental Age Gaetano Barresi, Division of Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Massimiliano BerrettaDivision of Medical Oncology, AOU G. Martino Hospital, University of Messina, 98166, Messina, Italy.
Giorgio AscentiBIOMORF Department, Oncologic Imaging Division, University Hospital Policlinico G. Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Maria Adele MarinoBIOMORF Department, Oncologic Imaging Division, University Hospital Policlinico G. Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTo compare shear-wave elastography (SWE) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-derived apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions, and to assess the correlation and potential interchangeability between these imaging biomarkers. MATERIAL AND

methodsIn this retrospective study, 53 female patients (mean age: 55.2 ± 11.7 years) with biopsy-proven BI-RADS 4 or 5 breast lesions underwent both SWE and breast MRI, including DWI. SWE parameters (Emax, Emean, Emin) and ADC values were quantitatively analyzed and compared using Mann-Whitney U tests. Diagnostic performance was evaluated via ROC analysis. Correlation and interchangeability between SWE and ADC were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation, regression analysis, and Bland-Altman plots.

resultsAmong 53 lesions (26 malignant, 27 benign), SWE Emax demonstrated the best diagnostic performance among SWE parameters (AUC = 0.74), with an optimal cut-off of > 69.47 kPa (sensitivity: 62%, specificity: 81%). ADC values achieved superior diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.94), with a cut-off of < 1182 × 10⁻⁶ mm

conclusionThese findings confirm that as tissue stiffness increases, water molecule diffusivity decreases. While SWE Emax and ADC values show a statistically significant inverse correlation, they are not interchangeable in clinical practice. ADC demonstrated superior performance as a standalone parameter for lesion characterization, whereas SWE retains value as a complementary tool within a multiparametric ultrasound approach. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings in larger cohorts.

Indexed as

Breast NeoplasmsDiffusion Magnetic Resonance ImagingElasticity Imaging TechniquesAdultAgedDiagnosis, DifferentialFemaleHumansMiddle AgedReproducibility of ResultsRetrospective StudiesSensitivity and SpecificityApparent diffusion coefficientBreast cancerMRIMultiparametric imagingShear-wave elastographyUltrasound

Identifiers

PMID42217149

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