Ultrasound-Guided Diffuse Optical Tomography for Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Breast Lesions: A Meta-analysis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of ultrasound-guided diffuse optical tomography for differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions.

Methods: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases were searched from inception to February 14, 2016. Sensitivity, specificity, and other information were extracted from the included studies. Sensitivity and specificity were pooled by a bivariate mixed-effects binary regression model. A summary receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed. Heterogeneity and publication bias were explored by Higgins and Deeks tests, respectively.

Results: Seven studies including 768 women with 886 lesions were analyzed. The summary sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio were 95% (95% confidence interval [CI], 85%-98%), 77% (95% CI, 66%-85%), and 57 (95% CI, 12-267), respectively. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 91% (95% CI, 89%-94%). No significant heterogeneity or publication bias existed.

Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided diffuse optical tomography is useful for differentiating breast lesions. Especially, its sensitivity is excellent.