[Ultrasound follow-up of palpable solid, probably benign breast lesions (BI-RADS category III)].
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether palpable non-calcified solid breast masses with benign morphology on ultrasound can be classified as probably benign and whether these lesions fulfill the criteria required for BI-RADS (TM) category III.


METHODS
This analysis includes 78 patients with 80 palpable non-calcified solid masses that were classified as probably benign at initial sonography. Of 78 patients, 66 had periodic imaging surveillance (2 - 8 years, mean 4.6 years). The remaining 12 patients had a biopsy after initial imaging.


RESULTS
In the 64 patients under surveillance, palpable lesions remained stable at follow-up. In 2 patients lesions increased in size during follow-up and no malignancy was diagnosed at subsequent open biopsy. In 19 of the 66 patients, 29 additional nonpalpable lesions of similar morphology were detected on ultrasound. No malignancy was diagnosed in the 12 patients, who had a biopsy after initial imaging.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that palpable non-calcified solid breast masses with benign morphology on ultrasound can be classified as probably benign (BI-RADS (TM) category III). Biopsy can be averted when lesions remain stable at follow-up.
Graf
O
O
Institut für Radiologie Steyr, Stadtplatz 30, Steyr, Osterreich.
Helbich
T H
TH
Fuchsjäger
M H
MH
Hopf
G
G
Morgun
M
M
Graf
C
C
Mallek
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001706:Biopsy; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D018226:Fibroadenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D010173:Palpation; D013997:Time Factors; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary