Inter- and Intra-Observer Agreement in Ultrasound BI-RADS Classification and Real-Time Elastography Tsukuba Score Assessment of Breast Lesions

Abstract

Our aim was to prospectively evaluate inter- and intra-observer agreement between Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classifications and Tsukuba elasticity scores (TSs) of breast lesions. The study included 164 breast lesions (63 malignant, 101 benign). The BI-RADS classification and TS of each breast lesion was assessed by the examiner and twice by three reviewers at an interval of 2 months. Weighted κ values for inter-observer agreement ranged from moderate to substantial for BI-RADS classification (κ = 0.585–0.738) and was substantial for TS (κ = 0.608–0.779). Intra-observer agreement was almost perfect for ultrasound (US) BI-RADS (κ = 0.847–0.872) and TS (κ = 0.879–0.914). Overall, individual reviewers are highly self-consistent (almost perfect intra-observer agreement) with respect to BI-RADS classification and TS, whereas inter-observer agreement was moderate to substantial. Comprehensive training is essential for achieving high agreement and minimizing the impact of subjectivity. Our results indicate that breast US and real-time elastography can achieve high diagnostic performance.