ObjectiveTo assess the values of MRI, ultrasound (US), and X-ray in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions. MethodsThe image data of 50 breast lesions confirmed with histopathology were analyzed retrospectively and the values of MRI, US and X-ray mammography in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions based on the breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) were assessed. The diagnostic efficiency of MRI, US, and X-ray in 50 benign and malignant breast lesions were compared using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. The areas of ROC curves of MRI, US, and X-ray were calculated with Z test using SPSS 16.0. ResultsThere were 44 patients with 50 breast lesions, 26 malignant lesions, 24 benign lesions. Based on the BI-RADS, according to X-ray imaging features, 26 malignant breast lesions were classified as 5 lesions of category 5, 7 lesions of category 4, 6 lesions of category 3, 3 lesions of category 2, 1 lesion of category 1, 4 lesions of category zero. Twenty-four benign breast lesions were classified as 1 lesion of category 4, 3 lesions of category 3, 4 lesions of category 2, 13 lesions of category 1, 3 lesions of category zero. According to the characteristics of US findings, 26 malignant breast lesions were classified as 17 lesions of category 5, 4 lesions of category 4, 1 lesion of category 3, 1 lesion of category 2, 3 lesions of category 1. Twenty-four benign breast lesions were classified as 1 lesion of category 5, 2 lesions of category 4, 4 lesions of category 3, 14 lesions of category 2, 2 lesions of category 1, 1 lesion of category 0. According to MRI imaging findings, 26 malignant breast lesions were classified as 6 lesions of category 5, 18 lesions of category 4, 1 lesion of category 3, 1 lesion of category 1. Twenty-four benign breast lesions were classified as 20 lesions of category 1, 3 lesions of category 2, 1 lesion of category 3. The area under the ROC curve of the MRI, US, and X-ray was 0.977, 0.835, and 0.764, respectively. The differences of MRI with US (Z=2.05, P < 0.05) and MRI with X-ray mammography (Z=2.81, P < 0.05) were statistically significant. While the difference of US with X-ray mammography (Z=0.73, P > 0.05) was't statistically significant. ConclusionsDynamic contrast-enhanced MRI is an accurate examination in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions. The differential diagnostic efficiency of MRI is significantly better than those with US and X-ray.
ObjectiveTo investigate the methods and significances of the breast ultrasonographic breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) category 4 lesions divided into category 4a, 4b, and 4c, and to assess the risk of malig-nancy of lesions with BI-RADS category 4 in order to improve the accuracy of diagnosis. MethodsTwo hundred and eighty-eight breast lesions with BI-RADS category 4 confirmed by histopathology were collected. The ultrasonographic characteristics of benign and malignant lesions, containing the shape, aspect ration, margin, calcification, changes of the surrounding tissue, boundary, blood flow characteristics, internal echo, rear echo of the lesions, were comparatively anal-yzed, and the lesions with BI-RADS-US category 4 were divided into 4a, 4b, 4c according to these ultrasonographic charac-teristics and analyzed by statistics. ResultsThere were 192 malignant lesions and 96 benign lesions in the 288 breast lesions. There were statistical significances in the benign and malignant lesions with the shape, aspect ratio, margin, calci-fication, change of surrounding tissue, and boundary (P < 0.05), in other words, the proportion of these ultrasonographic characteristics were higher in the malignant lesions as compared with the benign lesions. But there were no significant differences of internal echo, rear echo, and blood flow characteristics between two lesions (P > 0.05). The positive predictive value of malignant tumor with BI-RADS category 4a, 4b, and 4c were 21.74%, 58.90%, and 91.78%, respectively, and there was significant difference (χ2=106.09, P=0.000). ConclusionsThe classification of breast lesions with BI-RADS category 4 is refined, it could more accurately assess the risk of benign and malignant breast masses. At the same time, it has an important clinical significance for diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant breast masses.