Abstract: For the improvement of the ability in detecting
small calcifications using Ultrasonography (US) we propose a
novel indicator of calcifications in an ultrasound B-mode image
without decrease in frame rate. Since the waveform of an
ultrasound pulse changes at a calcification position, the
decorrelation of adjacent scan lines occurs behind a
calcification. Therefore, we employ the decorrelation of
adjacent scan lines as an indicator of a calcification. The
proposed indicator depicted wires 0.05 mm in diameter at 2 cm
depth with a sensitivity of 86.7% and a specificity of 100%,
which were hardly detected in ultrasound B-mode images. This
study shows the potential of the proposed indicator to
approximate the detectable calcification size using an US
device to that of an X-ray imager, implying the possibility that
an US device will become a convenient, safe, and principal
clinical tool for the screening of breast cancer.