Claudio Spick, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Manfred Tillich, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Klaus Werner Preidler MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Pia Reittner, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Thomas Hans Helbich MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dieter H. M. Szolar MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the negative predictive value (NPV) of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in lesions classified as BI-RADS 3.

In this single center study, we retrospectively analyzed 1237 patients (mean age, 50±13 years; range 18-89 years) who underwent breast MRI between May 2000 and May 2007. The local ethics committee approved this study. Our database has been searched through and the initial breast MRI findings were matched with the follow-up information derived by histopathology and clinical examinations. Follow-up was defined as at least 2 years of clinical, histopathological and/or imaging follow-up (range, 2-9 years).  

192 patients have been classified as BI-RADS 3. Out of this population 112 patients with adequate follow-up have been analyzed. Histopathology revealed 40 lesions to be benign and 4 lesions (3 mass lesions and 1 non-mass lesion, respectively) were classified as malignant (all associated with invasive ductale carcinoma). The remaining 68 patients without histopathologic evaluation of the breast lesion did not exhibit significant changes in clinical symptoms and/or imaging findings during the follow-up period and were therefore classified as benign. The NPV of breast MRI in lesions classified as BI-RADS 3 was 96.4%.

Breast MRI shows a high NPV in patients classified as BI-RADS 3. BI-RADS 3 lesions exhibited a higher rate of subsequent malignancy than previously reported. Therefore, BI-RADS 3 lesions may await further classification improvements.

Breast MRI BI-RADS 3 lesions may await further classification improvements.

Spick, C, Tillich, M, Preidler, K, Reittner, P, Helbich, T, Szolar, D, Negative Predictive Value of Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients Classified as BI-RADS™ 3.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9009068.html