MRI-based bosniak classification of cystic renal masses, Version 2019: Interobserver agreement, impact of readers' experience, and diagnostic performance

Abstract

Background: The 2019 Bosniak classification (version 2019) of cystic renal masses (CRMs) provides a systematic update to the currently used 2005 Bosniak classification (version 2005). Further validation is required before widespread application. Purpose: To evaluate the interobserver agreement of MRI criteria, the impact of readers' experience, and the diagnostic performance between version 2019 and version 2005. Materials and Methods: From January 2009 to December 2018, consecutive patients with CRM who had undergone renal MRI and surgical-pathologic examination were included in this retrospective study. On the basis of version 2019 and version 2005, all CRMs were independently classified by eight radiologists with different levels of experience. By using multirater k statistics, interobserver agreement was evaluated with comparisons between classifications and between senior and junior radiologists. Diagnostic performance between classifications by dichotomizing classes I-IV into lower (I-IIF) and higher (III-IV) classes was compared by using the McNemar test. P < .05 was considered to indicate a statistically significant difference. Results: A total of 207 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 49 years ± 12; 139 male and 68 female patients) with CRMs were included. Overall, interobserver agreement was higher with version 2019 than version 2005 (weighted k = 0.64 vs 0.50, respectively; P < .001). Interobserver agreement between senior and junior radiologists did not differ between version 2019 (weighted k = 0.65 vs 0.64, respectively; P = .71) and version 2005 (weighted k = 0.54 vs 0.46; P < .001). Diagnostic specificity for malignancy was higher with version 2019 than with version 2005 (83% [92 of 111] vs 68% [75 of 111], respectively; P < .001), without any difference in sensitivity (89% [85 of 96] vs 84% [81 of 96]; P = .34). Conclusion: In the updated Bosniak classification, interobserver agreement improved and was unaffected by observers' experience. The diagnostic performance with version 2019 was superior to that with version 2005, with higher specificity.