Radiology Residents' Comprehension of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System: The Ultrasound Lexicon and Final Assessment Category

• Main Authors: Sun Hye Jeong, Yun Ho Roh, Jung Hyun Yoon, Eun Hye Lee, Sung Hun Kim, Ji Hyun Youk, You Me Kim, Min Jung Kim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Korean Society of Radiology 2017-07-01
• Series: 대한영상의학회지
• Subjects: breast; ultrasonography; comprehension; education
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2017.77.1.19
• ISSN: 1738-2637; 2288-2928

Purpose To evaluate radiology residents' performance in interpretation and comprehension of breast ultrasonographic descriptors in the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) to suggest the adequate duration of training in breast ultrasonography. Materials and Methods A total of 102 radiology residents working in the Department of Radiology were included in this study. They were asked to answer 16 questions about the ultrasonographic lexicon and 11 questions about the BI-RADS category. We analyzed the proportion of correct answers according to the radiology residents’ year of training and duration of breast imaging training. Results With respect to the duration of breast imaging training, the proportion of correct answers for lexicon descriptors ranged from 77.2% to 81.3% (p = 0.368) and the proportion of correct answers for the BI-RADS category was highest after three-four months of training compared with after one month of training (p = 0.033). The proportion of correct answers for lexicon descriptors and BI-RADS category did not differ significantly according to the year of residency training. Conclusion Radiology residents' comprehension of the BI-RADS category on breast ultrasonography was not associated with their year of residency training. Based on our findings, radiology residents' assessment of the BI-RADS category was significantly improved with three-four months of training compared with one month of training.