Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate indications of breast ultrasonography referral. We investigated the positive predictive values (PPVs) of the BI-RADS categorization and histopathologic results in a young women less than 30 years old.
Methods and Materials
We included 811 women under 30 years old who underwent a breast ultrasound (US) during the study period. The mean age of all subjects was 24.5 years (range, 11-29 years). We evaluated the reasons for US referrals based on the presence or absence of symptoms in each patient. Histopathologic results were compared with the results after application of the BI-RADS categorization.
Results
Of the total subjects, 588 women (72.5%) were symptomatic when they underwent breast US. A palpable mass was the most common reason for referral (n=451). The most common reason for referral for asymptomatic women was routine screening (n=111). US findings were classified as category 1 (n=192), category 2 (n=81), category 3 (n=399), category 4 (n=134), and category 5 (n=5). The PPVs for category 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 0, 0, 0.3, 6.3, and 100% in the symptomatic group, respectively. For the asymptomatic group,...
Conclusion
The primary indication for breast US referral was evaluation of a palpable mass. BI-RADS categorization was helpful for predicting of the probability of malignancy. A follow-up US should be performed for high risk women even if they are young and asymptomatic.
References
1. Foxcroft LM, Evans EB, Hirst C, Hicks BJ. Presentation and diagnosis of adolescent breast disease. Breast 2001;10:399-404
2. Morrow M, Wong S, Venta L. The evaluation of breast masses in women younger than forty years of age. Surgery 1998;124:634-640; discussion 640-631
3. Stehr KG, Lebeau A, Stehr M, Grantzow R. Fibroadenoma of the breast in an 11-year-old girl. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2004;14:56-59
4. Vargas HI, Vargas MP, Eldrageely K, et al. Outcomes of surgical and sonographic assessment of breast masses in women younger...
Personal Information
Yu-Mee Sohn, MD1,2, Min Jung Kim, MD2, Jin Young Kwak, MD2, Hee Jung Moon, MD2,Soo Jin Kim, MD2, Eun-Kyung Kim, MD2
1Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Medical Center
2Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine