Current Status and Future of BI-RADS in Multimodality Imaging, From theAJRSpecial Series on Radiology Reporting and Data Systems

Abstract

The American College of Radiology (ACR) BI-RADS is a communication and data tracking system that has evolved since its inception as a brief mammography lexicon and reporting guide to become a robust structured reporting platform and comprehensive quality assurance tool for mammography, ultrasound, and MRI. Consistent and appropriate use of the BI-RADS lexicon terminology and assessment categories effectively communicates findings, estimates the risk of malignancy, and provides management recommendations to patients and referring clinicians. The impact of BI-RADS currently extends internationally through six language translations. A condensed version has been proposed to facilitate a phased implementation of BI-RADS in resource-constrained regions. The primary advance of the 5th edition of BI-RADS is harmonization of the lexicon terms across mammography, US, and MRI. Harmonization has also been achieved across these three modalities for the reporting structure, assessment categories, management recommendations, and data tracking system. Areas for improvement relate to certain common findings that lack lexicon descriptors and a need for further clarification of proper use of category 3. It is anticipated that BI-RADS will continue to evolve for application to a range of emerging breast imaging modalities.