Draft JSUM Diagnostic Guidelines for Mass Image-Forming Lesions

76 Diagnostic Criteria for Breast Lesions has been widely used since its release in 1988 by the Japan Society of Ultrasonics in Medicine (JSUM). However, improved diagnostic procedures and new data led to a growing desire for revisions to this publication. Prompted by that growing demand, in 2000 the JSUM set up a Subcommittee on Diagnostic Criteria for Breast Diseases (SCDCBD-JSUM; chairman, Ei Ueno), thus launching a study of new diagnostic guidelines for these diseases. The subcommittee classified breast diseases into two categories, mass imageforming and non-mass image-forming lesions as shown on ultrasonograms, and won approval of its classification for mass image-forming lesions as part of the revision process. These revisions were published in the Journal of Medical Ultrasonics and JSUM members have been invited to comment. The Japan Association of Breast and Thyroid Sonology’s Committee on Diagnostic Criteria for Breast Diseases (CDCBDJABTS; chairman, Tokiko Endo) also engaged in a study of the terminology that provides the basis for these classifications. Details of these studies are elaborated here.