Benign Breast Ultrasound Doesn’t Require Biopsy

Imaging with mammography is not a sufficient breast cancer screening technique for all women. Women who have breast tissue that is dense may require evaluation with alternate techniques.

For now, women with dense breasts whose mammogram findings are equivocal frequently undergo ultrasound examination. A recent study published in Radiology suggests that women whose ultrasound exams are believed to be benign should undergo follow up with imaging. Current practices usually indicate that patients should have a breast biopsy of suspicious areas.

The research team evaluated breast imaging studies in a cohort of 409 women with nonpalpable masses. All had dense breast tissue, limiting mammography utility and went on to undergo ultrasound.

The study was completed to assess new guidelines for breast ultrasound interpretation, the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. Findings from the Austrian study verified this approach, with an overall negative predictive value of 99.8 percent.

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