Ultrasound BI-RADS rates breast lesions consistently

The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System for ultrasound, developed by the American College of Radiology in 2003, can reliably characterize breast tumors, according to Duke University researchers.

Dr. Andrea S. Hong and colleagues in the Duke radiology department appraised the BI-RADS nomenclature that describes tumors according to their shape, orientation, margins, and several ultrasound-specific features. They found that these ultrasound-based descriptors were significantly different in malignant and benign masses. The study had several limitations, but long-term outcomes from larger population and histology samples following current guidelines may yield more conclusive results.

"The ACR BI-RADS lexicon provides standardized terminology that facilitates accurate and consistent breast sonography and mammography reporting," the investigators wrote in the April issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.