Second Opinion Assessment in Diagnostic Mammography at a Breast Cancer Centre.
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ABSTRACT: Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the importance of second opinion assessment for diagnostic mammography and sonography in a breast cancer centre. Material and Method: We analysed a total of 374 diagnostic mammographies and sonographies. All patients had previously undergone mammography and sonography examination in different external clinics, and the findings had been classified according to the BI-RADS system. All patients underwent additional sonography investigation in the outpatient department of our university clinic with additional mammography where necessary. The final diagnosis (histological clarification in 316 cases, follow-up in 58 cases) was compared with the BI-RADS classification made by the external clinics and by the university clinic, and the correlation between their findings and the final diagnosis was analysed. Results: The final diagnosis yielded 146 benign lesions and 228 cancers. In 74?% of cases (277/374), the BI-RADS classification of the first assessment corresponded to that of the second assessment. 26/55 lesions (47?%) were upgraded at the second assessment from BI-RADS?3 to BI-RADS?4, and 71/186 findings (38?%) were downgraded at the second assessment from BI-RADS?4 to BI-RADS?3. The correlation between the initial diagnosis made in the external facilities and the final diagnosis was low (kappa: 0.263), but the correlation between the second opinion assessment and the final diagnosis was significantly (p?Conclusion: An independent second diagnostic evaluation can significantly improve the correlation between BI-RADS classification and the final diagnosis, resulting in a benefit for the patient.
SUBMITTER: Lorenzen J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4168327 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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