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

Which BIRADS category indicates there is a need for a short-term follow-up?

1. BIRADS 2

2. BIRADS 3

3. BIRADS 4

4. BIRADS 5

The correct answer is: BIRADS 3

BIRADS 3 indicates that there is a probably benign finding, and it typically recommends short-term follow-up to ensure stability. This category is assigned when there is a radiologic abnormality that has a high likelihood (greater than 98%) of being benign, but the imaging findings are not definitive enough to completely rule out malignancy. In this context, the recommendation for short-term follow-up arises because, while the lesion is likely benign, monitoring it allows for timely detection of any changes that may occur in the future. It helps to reassure the patient while ensuring that any potential issues are addressed promptly if they arise. In contrast, other BIRADS categories suggest different management strategies: BIRADS 2 denotes benign findings and typically does not require follow-up; BIRADS 4 suggests suspicious findings with a significant risk of malignancy which usually calls for a biopsy; and BIRADS 5 indicates findings that are highly suggestive of malignancy, warranting urgent further investigation and treatment. Thus, BIRADS 3's guideline for short-term follow-up is crucial in balancing watchfulness with the reassurance of low risk.