The ACR BI-RADS experience: learning from history.
The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) initiative, instituted by the ACR, was begun in the late 1980s to address a lack of standardization and uniformity in mammography practice reporting. An important component of the BI-RADS initiative is the lexicon, a dictionary of descriptors of specific imaging features. The BI-RADS lexicon has always been data driven, using descriptors that previously had been shown in the literature to be predictive of benign and malignant disease. Once established, the BI-RADS lexicon provided new opportunities for quality assurance, communication, research, and improved patient care. The history of this lexicon illustrates a series of challenges and instructive successes that provide a valuable guide for other groups that aspire to develop similar lexicons in the future.
Burnside
Elizabeth S
ES
Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53792-3252, USA. eburnside@uwhealth.org
Sickles
Edward A
EA
Bassett
Lawrence W
LW
Rubin
Daniel L
DL
Lee
Carol H
CH
Ikeda
Debra M
DM
Mendelson
Ellen B
EB
Wilcox
Pamela A
PA
Butler
Priscilla F
PF
D'Orsi
Carl J
CJ
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000266:history*; D004018:Dictionaries, Medical as Topic; D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000266:history*; D011859:Radiography / Q000266:history*; D011871:Radiology / Q000266:history*; D011873:Radiology Information Systems / Q000266:history; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000266:history; D009626:Terminology as Topic