gms | German Medical Science

Objective: The latest edition of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) Atlas defined different assessment categories for sonographic findings in the breast. Since 2005 the BI-RADS categories for ultrasound are used at the University Breast Center Tuebingen. The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) in our series of more than 900 patients are reported.

Materials and methods: More than 900 sonographic examinations were classified according to the BI-RADS assessment categories. Each lesion was described using features from the sonographic BI-RADS Atlas. Most of the sonographic findings classified BI-RADS 3 to 5 where further clarified by sonographic guided core biopsy. BI-RADS categories and biopsy results were correlated.

Results / Conclusion: PPV and NPV were calculated. Breast ultrasound is the preferable method in the case of a symptomatic patient or in the case of a palpable lump, leading to a definitive diagnosis itself or with an additional consecutive core needle biopsy. For women without symptoms, ultrasound of the breast should be mandatory and complementary to mammography in the case of breast density grade III or IV (ACR 3 - 4). According to literature we found that ultrasound has a high sensitivity for detecting breast cancer in women under the age of 50 and high-risk women. The new BI-RADS categories for ultrasound improve the assessment and management of breast abnormalities and are important tools to standardize medical terminology in an interdisciplinary Breast Center.