Diagnostic Accuracy of Portable Ultrasound in Preoperative Localization of Thyroid and Breast Lesions

Abstract

Accurate preoperative localization of thyroid and breast lesions is essential for surgical precision and optimal outcomes. Portable ultrasound systems offer real‐time imaging and accessibility, but their diagnostic reliability in routine surgical work flows remains under explored. To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of portable ultrasound in preoperative localization of thyroid and breast lesions by comparing imaging findings with histopathological outcomes. A total of 120 patients (65 thyroid, 55 breast) underwent preoperative imaging using portable grayscale ultrasound followed by surgical excision and histopathological evaluation. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for each lesion type. For thyroid lesions, portable ultrasound achieved a sensitivity of 88.4%, specificity of 91.2%, PPV of 90.6%, and NPV of 81.6%. For breast lesions, sensitivity was 85.5%, specificity 89.1%, PPV 90.4%, and NPV 80.4%. Diagnostic concordance was higher in lesions larger than 1 cm and in scans performed by senior radiologists. Portable ultrasound demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy in preoperative localization of thyroid and breast lesions. Its performance supports integration into surgical planning, particularly in settings where conventional imaging is limited.