Computerized classification can reduce unnecessary biopsies in BI-RADS category 4A lesions

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess the potential of a CAD device with computer aided classification capabilities to reduce interventional procedures for BI-RADS category 4A lesions. 113 such lesions (17 masses, 96 clusters), forwarded for biopsy (103 benign) were analyzed retrospectively by a CAD device that generated descriptors. The device extracted quantitative features characterizing the lesions by shape, margins, size and distribution. Descriptors taken from the BI-RADS lexicon for the appearance of the lesion were generated based on the values of the quantitative features. A paradigm based on the computer generated descriptors was developed to assist in assigning a level of suspicion. The paradigm deemed malignant, all 10 malignant cases of the study (100% sensitivity) and correctly classified 38 of the 103 benign lesions. The CAD-generated descriptors, thus, eliminated 36.9% of unnecessary biopsies without decreasing the sensitivity. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.