Objective  To explore the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters and clinical features in predicting the efficacy after microwave ablation of breast nodules.

  Methods  Clinical materials of 80 female patients with breast nodules treated by microwave ablation in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients underwent ultrasound-guided microwave ablation and contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination. Totally 80 patients were divided into observation group (volume reduction of breast nodules ≥ 50%) with 65 cases and control group (volume reduction of breast nodules < 50%) with 15 cases. The general materials and contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters were compared between two groups, and the independent influencing factors of microwave ablation of breast nodules were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression analysis.

  Results  The results of univariate analysis showed that the time to peak (TTP) of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group, while the body mass index, estradiol (E₂) and peak intensity (PI) were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index, E₂, TTP and PI were the independent influencing factors (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  The parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound such as TTP and PI combined with clinical features show important clinical value in predicting the efficacy after microwave ablation of breast nodules.