Is Breast Background Parenchymal Enhancement on MRI Related to BI-RADS Score and Follow-Up Rate?

Objective: We investigated the correlations between background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) and MRI interpretations with respect to short-interval follow-ups and biopsy rates. Methods: All accessible MRI examinations from 128 women during a limited time period in 2016 were evaluated. A blinded radiologist visually categorized BPE as minimal, mild, moderate, or marked. A BI-RADS category was also assigned. We used descriptive statistics to report the findings and chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests to compare categories. Results: Prevalence of minimal, mild, moderate, and marked BPE was 14.1%, 43.0%, 32.0%, and 10.9%, respectively. The short-interval follow-up rates were 22.2%, 27.3%, 26.8%, and 7.1% in women with minimal, mild, moderate, and marked BPE, respectively. BPE was not associated with the short-interval follow-up rate (p-value = 0.477). Biopsy rates were 22.2%, 27.3%, 22.0%, and 57.1% in women with minimal, mild, moderate, and marked BPE, respectively. Although there was no significant relationship between biopsy rates and BPE levels (p-value = 0.095) in the total population, these two factors were significantly associated in premenopausal women (p-value = 0.023) and in women of 30 - 39 years (p-value = 0.001). Conclusion: Higher BPE does not correlate with short-interval follow-up rates, but appears to be related to biopsy rate, thus causing false-positives and unnecessary biopsy recommendations, particularly in younger, premenopausal women.