Case 24 Answer

BI-RADS 3, Probably Benign. This mass is round and circumscribed on spot compression magnification views. It is solid (since it was not seen on ultrasound, we know it is not a cyst). This is a baseline mammogram, so there are no comparisons. This is the classic probably benign mass.

What if the patient had prior mammograms? Then the stability of the mass would be known:

 

  • the mass is stable: therefore BI-RADS 2, Benign
  • the mass is new: therefore BI-RADS 4, Suspicious
  • the mass was present but is now bigger: BI-RADS 4, Suspicious

    Thus, 'Probably Benign' only applies when there are no comparisons. The purpose of 'Probably Benign' is to get an idea of the finding's stability. A short-interval follow-up in 6 months is performed to establish stability.

    Check out Related Cases on 'Probably Benign' below.

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