Automated breast volumetric sonography compared to magnetic resonance imaging in Jewish BRCA1/2 mutation carriers

Background: Automated breast volumetric sonography (ABVS) is a new technology with various possible applications. Objectives: To compare ABVS and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the surveillance of women with a BRCA1/2 gene mutation. Methods: We conducted a prospective study in Jewish female BRCA1/2 mutation carriers who underwent breast MRI and ABVS. The results of both exams performed 6 months apart or less, and relevant clinical data, were reviewed. The BI-RADS results were divided into three subgroups according to subsequent expected management: BI-RADS 1-2 (normal study), BI-RADS 3 (probably benign finding), and BI-RADS 4 and 5 (suspicious findings). BI-RADS 0 and 6 scores were excluded from the study. Distribution of ABVS and MRI BI-RADS scores were compared using McNemar's test, and concordance was calculated using the Cohen kappa test. Results: Overall, 68 women, 40 BRCA1 and 28 BRCA2 mutation carriers, age range 26–69 (mean 44.55 ± 12.1 years), underwent 79 paired ABVS and MRI examinations. McNemar's test calculations showed no significant difference between MRI and ABVS BI-RADS score distribution. Cohen’s kappa test resulted in k = 0.158, an agreement that can be described as only “slight agreement” between both modalities. Of 14 discordant cases there was one cancer, revealed by MRI and not by ABVS performed 6 months prior to MRI. Conclusions: ABVS showed slight agreement with MRI in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. These preliminary results in a small group of healthy high risk patients suggest that the diagnostic abilities of ABVS are inferior to those of MRI. Further studies encompassing larger groups are needed.