Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS): Advantages and Limitations

Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) is a communication and data tracking system that standardizes and controls the quality of reporting by presenting lexicon descriptors, assessment categories, and recommendations for managing breast lesions. Using standardized terminology recommended by BI-RADS, radiologists can concisely and reproducibly communicate breast imaging results to clinicians. They can also provide the estimated malignant probability of the lesions found and guide management for them by determining the final assessment category. The limitations of BI-RADS 5th edition currently in use are that there are some areas for which standardized terminologies still need to be established, and that the diagnostic criteria of MRI assessment categories 3 and 4 are ambiguous compared to those for mammography or ultrasound. The next revision of BI-RADS is expected to include solutions for overcoming current limitations.