[Implementation of BIRADSTM together with an organization of percutaneous breast biopsies: experiences, reactions]

To record the acceptance and reactions of radiologists and physicians who recommend patients for mammography after simultaneous establishment of BIRADS TM and a registration of the results of percutaneous breast biopsies.

To improve clarity of mammographic reports and to provide guidance concerning any necessary percutaneous breast biopsies the Breast Imaging Data And Reporting System (BIRADS TM) has been introduced regionally together with a registration of percutaneous breast biopsies. Using a questionnaire, 25 radiologists and 230 referring physicians were asked on acceptance and reactions concerning the established system.

Of the 15 answering radiologists, 93 % considered BIRADS TM a worthwhile effort and 87 % found the biopsy guidelines to be useful. They regarded the acceptance of the referring physicians and patients as high (80 %). Up to 69 % of the 52 participating physicians stated a better understanding of the mammographic reports, an easier comprehension of the dignity classification of a mammographic lesion and the feeling of an improvement in their work. Preoperative assessment of histology was found to be valuable by 94 % of the referring physicians. They believe that more than half of the patients benefit from the biopsy guidelines and that the majority of patients accept this approach.

BIRADS TM is useful to standardize and improve mammographic reports. It is advantageous to link BIRADS TM with guidelines for percutaneous breast biopsies.