Acuson s2000 automated breast volume scanner

ABVS was performed in all patients after HHUS and carried out using the ACUSON S2000 Automated Breast Volume Scanner (ABVS; Siemens Medical Solutions, Mountain View, CA), which includes a 15-cm-wide linear array transducer with a 5 to 14 MHz bandwidth, by a single technologist with at least 8 years of experience in operating the ABVS. All patients were in a supine or lateral position based on the location of the target lesions. The scanning orientation included anterior–posterior, lateral, and medial. In larger breasts, additional inferior and superior section scans were performed. Then, the gathered data were transferred to the ABVS workstation to obtain basic planar images, and three-dimensional reconstruction was performed based on the basic images of the whole breast, including those on the vertical and coronal planes. The analysis of the ABVS images was based on the characteristics of breast lesions, including shape, margin, echo pattern, orientation, posterior features, and microcalcification.

The ABVS examination was performed using an ACUSON S2000 Automated Breast Volume Scanner (Siemens Medical Solutions, Inc. Mountain View, CA, USA) with a 14L5BV probe (bandwidth, 5–14 MHz). Patients were positioned supine or laterally with their arms above their heads. To ensure high-quality images, the scanning box was placed on the breast and gently pressurized after applying a uniform layer of medical gel. The scanning depth was adjusted according to breast size and target lesion location. Subsequently, the obtained axial plane (AP) and sagittal plane (SP) images were uploaded to a specialized workstation for image reconstruction, generating a coronal plane (CP) and a three-dimensional image.

ABVS examination was performed by one of two well-trained radiologists using the ACUSON S2000 Automated Breast Volume Scanner (Siemens Medical Solutions, Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA). ABVS consists of a US scanner and a special stationary device with a linear array transducer (5–14 MHz bandwidth), which moves automatically in a scan box. A replaceable membrane covers the transducer to facilitate sufficient contact with the breast. Patients lay in the supine or lateral position with their arms above their head. The medical gel was placed evenly on the breast, and then the scan box was placed on the breast with appropriate compression to improve image quality. According to the size of the breast and the location of the target lesion, the appropriate scan depth was selected. The ABVS examination was continuous and automated, and the patient was asked to breathe gently and not to move during the examination. After the examination, axial ABVS images were sent to a dedicated workstation, and sagittal and coronal images were reconstructed automatically. Finally, the axial, sagittal, and coronal ABVS images showing the largest lesions were selected for further image segmentation and feature extraction.