Question

Distinguish between the ultrasound features of benign and malignant breast masses using the appropriate BIRADS lexicon and the following criteria:

- Shape

- Margin

- Orientation

- Echopattern

- Posterior features

- Calcifications

- Associated features

Answer 1

BI-RADS refers to Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System which is an assessment tool used in breast cancer.
The ultrasound features of benign and malignant breast masses can be distinguished as follows using the BIRADS lexicon :

BENIGN BREAST MASSES

- Shape: oval

- Margin: circumscribed

- Orientation: parallel to the skin

- Echopattern : anechoic or hyperechoic

- Posterior features : no posterior acoustic features

- Calcifications : macrocalcification, large and coarse

- Associated features : skin thickening, edema

MALIGNANT BREAST MASS
- Shape: irregular or round

- Margin : indistinct, angular, microlobulated

- Orientation : not parallel to skin

- Echopattern : complex

- Posterior features : shadowing, combined pattern

- Calcifications : microcalcification

- Associated features: architectural distortion, duct dilatation.