Mammographic screening and reporting: a need for standardisation. A review

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Mammography is a crucial tool for early breast cancer diagnosis and mortality reduction.
• High-quality mammograms and radiologist expertise are vital for effective screening.
• Current screening practices face challenges in consistent communication and performance evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (BI-RADS) lexicon as a standardized reporting method.
• To highlight the benefits of BI-RADS in enhancing communication between radiologists and clinicians.
• To emphasize its role in improving patient management and auditing screening performance.

Main Methods:

• Review of the BI-RADS lexicon developed by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
• Comparison of standardized BI-RADS reporting with free-style reporting methods.
• Analysis of BI-RADS's consideration of key breast imaging features, including parenchyma patterns.

Main Results:

• Standardized BI-RADS reporting facilitates practical communication compared to subjective free-style methods.
• The BI-RADS lexicon incorporates significant breast features, such as parenchyma patterns, a known breast cancer risk factor.
• Implementation of BI-RADS supports consistent interpretation and reporting.

Conclusions:

• The BI-RADS lexicon offers a valuable framework for standardized breast imaging reporting.
• Adoption of BI-RADS can significantly enhance interdisciplinary communication and patient care pathways.
• This standardized system aids in the objective auditing of radiologist performance and screening program effectiveness.