Quantitative Relationship Between Breast Parenchymal Stiffness on Shear-Wave Elastography and Computed Tomography Attenuation: A Single-Center Observational Study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective: Breast density reflects fibroglandular tissue composition and affects imaging interpretation and cancer risk.Ultrasound (US) shear-wave elastography (SWE) offers a quantitative method for assessing tissue stiffness.This study aimed to investigate the correlation between breast parenchymal stiffness values measured by SWE and attenuation values obtained from computed tomography (CT).Materials and Methods: Fifty-four female patients who underwent both breast SWE and chest CT were evaluated.SWE stiffness (kilopascal, kPa) and CT attenuation (Hounsfield Units [HU]) were measured from corresponding parenchymal regions.Correlations were analyzed using Pearson's and Spearman's coefficients, and linear regression analysis was performed.Results: The mean CT attenuation was -24.8±30.1 HU, and the mean SWE stiffness was 11.7±3.1 kPa.SWE stiffness progressively increased with higher breast parenchymal types according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System classification.CT attenuation and SWE stiffness values demonstrated a strong positive correlation (r=0.91,p<0.001).Conclusion: SWE stiffness values strongly correlate with CT attenuation and may serve as a radiation-free surrogate marker for quantitative assessment of breast parenchymal density.
Author: Levent Karakas
Institution: Gaziosmanpaşa Eğitim Ve Araştırma Hastanesi
Language: English
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7138458358