title: BI-RADS for sonography: positive and negative predictive values of sonographic features.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of features described in the new sonographic BI-RADS lexicon for evaluating solid masses with known histologic diagnoses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sonograms of 403 solid lesions were analyzed by one of three dedicated breast radiologists. Each lesion was described using features from the sonographic BI-RADS lexicon. Lesion description and biopsy results were correlated. PPV and NPV were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histologic results showed that 141 (35%) of 403 masses were malignant. Sonographic BI-RADS descriptors showing high predictive value for malignancy include spiculated margin (86%, 19/22), irregular shape (62%, 102/164), and nonparallel orientation (69%, 75/109). Sonographic BI-RADS descriptors highly predictive of benign lesions include circumscribed margin (90%, 160/178), parallel orientation (78%, 228/294), and oval shape (84%, 200/237). For the sonographic BI-RADS features of mass margin, shape, orientation, lesion boundary, echo pattern, and posterior acoustic features, descriptors chosen were significantly (p < 0.001) different for malignant and benign masses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Descriptors from the new sonographic BI-RADS lexicon can be useful in differentiating benign from malignant solid masses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Duke University School of Medicine, DUMC 3808, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Andrea S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Eric L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: Mary S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Soo
authors.forename: Jay A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary