Three‐dimensional imaging of solid breast tumors with ultrasound: preliminary data and analysis of its possible contribution to the understanding of the standard two‐dimensional sonographic images

Reconstructed three‐dimensional sonographic images are presented from patients having different histological types of breast tumors. Scanning is manual and performed using two‐dimensional annular array, sector transducers fitted on a mechanical arm, to provide spatial location. The three‐dimensional data are displayed using two different modalities. Planar reformatted sections allow the visualization of planes reconstructed along any direction chosen by the operator. Of particular interest are the reconstructions obtained along equatorial planes of the tumors, i.e. planes parallel to the chest wall and, consequently, to the fibroglandular layer of the breast. Volume rendering is obtained using the shaded‐surface visualization technique.