Rate of Malignancy in MRI-Detected Probably Benign (BI-RADS 3) Lesions

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the malignancy rate in MRI-detected probably benign (BI-RADS 3) lesions in women without a history of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS. In this study, 1265 patients underwent breast MRI during a 7-year period. One hundred and eight (8.5%) patients with a nonpalpable breast lesion classified as BI-RADS 3 at MRI and with a needle biopsy or adequate follow-up of at least 24 months were included. Statistical analysis included calculation of the negative predictive value with its 95% CI. RESULTS. Of 108 lesions, 107 (99.1%) were correctly assessed as probably benign, resulting in a negative predictive value of 99.1% (95% CI, 94.99–99.98%). Histopathology was requested by the patient or referring physician in 44 patients. Of these, 43 (39.8%) lesions were classified as benign and one (0.9%) as malignant. There were no changes evident in any of the remaining 64 (59.2%) lesions during follow-up (range, 2–9 years). CONCLUSION. In MRI-detected probably benign...