How to read breast color ultrasound report?

  Breast ultrasound, especially color ultrasound, is not only convenient, safe and painless, but also highly accurate in determining breast diseases.  The ultrasound doctor makes a comprehensive judgment by observing the different echogenicity and blood flow in the breast tissue. (1) Is there a mass? If there is a mass, is it regular in shape, lobulated or crabfoot-shaped? Are the borders of the masses clear? Is the echogenicity uniform? Is the posterior echogenicity of the mass attenuated?  (2) Is there any calcification? Particular attention should be paid to the presence of fine dot-like, sand-like, and clustered calcifications.  (3) Is there any blood flow? Is there abundant blood flow?  (4) If the elasticity of the ultrasound is graded high and red is predominant, it indicates a hard mass. The following conditions often suggest malignancy (1) irregular mass shape, lobulated, crab foot shape; (2) unclear border, uneven echogenicity, posterior echogenic attenuation; (3) fine dot-like, sand-like, clustered calcification; (4) rich blood flow grade II-III, high resistance, high speed, resistance index (RI) >0.70; (5) high elastography grade, suggesting a hard mass. Imaging grading is high, suggesting a hard mass texture. However, it is not completely certain. The doctor should consider the patient’s age, menstrual status, physical examination results, mammography, past history, family history, and puncture or small surgical biopsy if necessary.  The ultrasound doctor makes the following report with reference to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS reporting system) proposed by the American College of Radiology: BI-RADS Level 0: needs to be combined with other examinations BI-RADS Level 1: negative BI-RADS Level 2: benign BI-RADS Level 3: benign possible (malignancy rate <2%), needs short-term follow-up (3-6 months visit) BI-RADS Level 4: suspicious malignant, biopsy recommended 4A: low suspicion 4B: moderate suspicion 4C: high but not certain BI-RADS Level 5: highly malignant BI-RADS Level 6: already Pathologically confirmed malignancy