Application of Artificial Intelligence in Breast Ultrasound Diagnosis.
Authors
Affiliations (3)
Affiliations (3)
- Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg University, 79085 Freiburg, Germany.
- Department of Breast Unit, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Breast Center, Hospital St Elisabeth, 69121 Heidelberg, Germany.
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping ultrasound diagnosis by converting operator-dependent grayscale, Doppler, elastography, contrast-enhanced, automated-volume, and video data into reproducible decision support. In breast ultrasound, the most mature evidence involves benign-malignant lesion classification, BI-RADS risk stratification, reduction in unnecessary biopsy in selected low-risk lesions, assistance for less experienced readers, automated breast volume scanning, video-based assessment, axillary staging, and prediction of biologic markers such as molecular subtype, HER2 status, Ki-67 expression, lymphovascular invasion, and nodal metastasis. AI does not replace sonographers, radiologists, pathologists, or clinical judgment; rather, it can standardize feature extraction, prompt second-reader review, quantify uncertainty, and integrate imaging with clinical context. This review summarizes current clinical applications of AI in ultrasound diagnosis, which has a strong recent multicenter evidence base. It also discusses implementation requirements, including standardized acquisition, external validation, calibration, imaging-pathology concordance, workflow integration, data security, and equity across scanners and patient populations.