A 38-year-old woman attends diagnostic mammography for a palpable area of concern. Imaging shows a single 1.1 cm oval, circumscribed, parallel mass with benign features, judged probably benign (BI-RADS 3). What is the recommended management?
- A Short-interval follow-up imaging in 6 months ✓
- B Core needle biopsy within 2 weeks
- C Annual routine screening only
- D Surgical excision
Correct answer: A. Short-interval follow-up imaging in 6 months
Explanation
BI-RADS 3 denotes a probably benign finding with a malignancy likelihood of 2% or less, managed by short-interval follow-up, typically at 6 months, then at 12 and 24 months if stable. Biopsy is reserved for BI-RADS 4 and above. Returning directly to routine annual screening would miss progression of a small minority of these lesions, so it is reserved for findings assessed as BI-RADS 1 or 2.
Reference: ACR BI-RADS Atlas, Mammography Section, 5th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.