American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

Which BIRADS category indicates a suspicious abnormality where a biopsy should be considered?

1. BIRADS 2

2. BIRADS 4

3. BIRADS 5

4. BIRADS 3

The correct answer is: BIRADS 4

BIRADS, or the Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System, is a classification system that helps to standardize reporting of breast imaging findings. In this system, BIRADS categories range from 0 to 6, each indicating a different level of suspicion for breast cancer. The category that indicates a suspicious abnormality where a biopsy should be considered is BIRADS 4. This category is subdivided into 4A, 4B, and 4C, with each subcategory reflecting increasing levels of suspicion. A recommendation for biopsy is warranted because BIRADS 4 represents findings that are not definitively benign but do not have the characteristics typical of malignant lesions. The possibility of malignancy is significant enough that further evaluation through biopsy is indicated to confirm the diagnosis. In contrast, BIRADS 2 signifies benign findings, meaning no biopsy is required. BIRADS 3 indicates findings that are probably benign, with a follow-up recommended rather than immediate biopsy. BIRADS 5 indicates a high suspicion of malignancy and typically warrants a definitive action due to its strong association with cancer, although it is at the more extreme end of the spectrum compared to BIRADS 4. Thus, while BIRADS