Abstract: Objective To assess the clinical value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in early diagnosis of breast
cancer. Methods CEUS was performed in 107 cases of ultrasound BI-RADS® category 3 or category 4 small breast tumors
(diameter no greater than 10 mm) before surgery. The range, type and patter of enhancement of the tumor and the
surrounding tissues were observed, and the time-intensity curve (TIC) was analyzed for TIC curve type, basic and peak
intensity, enhancement intensity, rising slope, and enhancement intensity. The results were analyzed comparatively between
benign and malignant tumors. Results The peak intensity, enhancement intensity index and peak time in CEUS were
statistically significant between benign and malignant breast tumor (t=-2.310, -2.592, -2.127, P=0.021, 0.010, 0.033), and the
intensity difference and rising slope also differed significantly (t=-3.422, -3.388, P=0.001, 0.001). TIC curve type, enhancement
pattern, enhancement types and enhancement range were statistically significantly between benign and malignant breast
tumor (P<0.001). Conclusion Benign and malignant BI-RADS® category 3 or 4 small breast tumors differ in the peak intensity,
enhancement intensity index and peak time in CEUS. More nodular hyperplasia showed no enhancement in CEUS, and 97.8%
of the lesions without enhancement are benign. In enhanced breast nodules, malignant breast lesions show more quick
wash-in and wash-out type and quick wash-in and slow wash-out type, and the latter is more common; benign lesions often
show a slow wash-in and slow wash-out type. In CEUS, the range of enhancement in malignant nodules is wider than that in
two-dimensional ultrasound.