Stereotactic breast biopsy: comparison of histologic underestimation rates with 11- and 9-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare histologic underestimations at stereotactic 11- and 9-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy.

Materials And Methods: The reports of 1,223 consecutive stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsies were retrospectively reviewed. An 11-gauge device was used to perform 828 and a 9-gauge device to perform 395 biopsies.

BI-RADS lexicon for US and mammography: interobserver variability and positive predictive value.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate interobserver variability between breast radiologists by using terminology of the fourth edition of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) to categorize lesions on mammograms and sonograms and to retrospectively determine the positive predictive value (PPV) of BI-RADS categories 4a, 4b, and 4c.

Materials And Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained; informed consent was not required. This study was HIPAA compliant.

Characterization of breast masses with sonography: can biopsy of some solid masses be deferred?

Objective: To determine whether sonography can be used to categorize some solid breast masses as probably benign so that biopsy can be deferred.

Methods: We prospectively characterized 844 sonographically visible solid breast masses referred for biopsy. Mammographic and sonographic features of the masses were recorded, and all masses were categorized by American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System classification before biopsy.

Mammographic findings in pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

Background: There have been isolated case reports of arterial and skin calcification in mammograms of patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), and unpublished anecdotes of many women with PXE undergoing breast biopsy for evaluation of microcalcifications.

Objective: Our aim was to systematically evaluate mammography and breast pathology in PXE.

Methods: The mammograms of 51 women with confirmed PXE were compared with those of a control sample of 109 women without PXE, noting each of the following characteristics on each mammogram: breast density, skin thickening, skin microcalcifications, vascular calcification, breast microcalcifications and macrocalcifications, and masses.

Data from a professional society placement service as a measure of the employment market for physicians.

Purpose: To determine whether data from a professional society placement service--the Professional Bureau of the American College of Radiology--are a valid measure of the employment market.

Materials And Methods: For the United States from 1990 to 1998, the authors compared three placement service measures-the annual number of job listings, job seekers, and listings per seeker-with two presumably valid measures of the employment market-annual total jobs available (which was ascertained from surveys of hiring) and radiologist median income relative to the all-physician median. For the comparisons, both graphic displays of the data and correlation were used.

Radiation oncologists in 2000: demographic, professional, and practice characteristics.

Purpose: To describe the demographic, professional, and practice characteristics of radiation oncologists, emphasizing comparisons to data from a similar 1995 Survey.

Methods And Materials: In spring 2000, we surveyed 603 randomly selected radiation oncologists by mail, using a one-page questionnaire-455 responded. We weighted responses to make answers representative of all radiation oncologists in the United States.

Data from a professional society placement service as a measure of the employment market for radiation oncologists.

Purpose: To aid in understanding the employment market for radiation oncologists, we present annual data for 1991 to 2000 from the American College of Radiology's placement service, the Professional Bureau. This data series is twice as long as any previously available. Secondarily, we compare these data with other data on the employment market.

Too few radiologists?

Objective: The purpose of our study was to model the supply and demand for diagnostic radiologists over the next 30 years under alternative scenarios.

Materials And Methods: We used responses from the American College of Radiology's 2000 Survey of Diagnostic Radiologists and Radiation Oncologists to determine the current age distribution and activity of diagnostic radiologists. The numbers entering the profession were projected using three assumptions: no change in training programs, reduction of residency to 3 years (or otherwise increasing the annual number of graduates by one third), and elimination of most fellowship programs.

Diagnostic radiologists in 2000: basic characteristics, practices, and issues related to the radiologist shortage.

Objective: We sought to describe radiologists and their practices, emphasizing trends in retirement age, practice size, and perceived workload burden.

Materials And Methods: In spring 2000, we surveyed 3,027 randomly selected radiologists by mail, of whom 74% responded. We weighted responses to make answers representative of all radiologists and compared findings with a similar 1995 survey.