To compare the application of ultrasound and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in diagnosis and lymph node staging of breast cancer.

Using automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) and PET/CT examination of 40 lesions in 38 patients, and for comparison with the pathological findings, the diagnostic accuracy of PET/CT and ABVS in breast cancer was comparatively analyzed.

The sensitivity of ABVS in the diagnosis of breast cancer was 95.65%, the specificity was 70.59%, and the accuracy rate was 85.00%; the sensitivity of PET/CT in the diagnosis of breast cancer was 86.96%, the specificity was 82.35%, and the accuracy rate was 85.00%; the diagnostic sensitivity of their combined application was 86.96%, the specificity was 94.12%, and the accuracy rate was 90.00%. In 10 cases of breast cancer patients with lymph node metastasis, the sensitivity、specificity and accuracy rate of PET/CT in the diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes were 90.0%, 92.8%, and 92.1% respectively; the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rate of ultrasound in the diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes were 70.0%, 96.4% and 89.5%, respectively.

The ABVS and PET/CT are both effective approaches in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Their combined application may significantly improve the specificity and accuracy of diagnosis. For patients with lymph node metastases, the sensitivity of PET/CT for lymph node metastases was high and conducive to clinical staging, which is an important implication in guiding the choice of clinical treatment and prognosis of patients.