OBJECTIVE: To review the literature about the positive predictive value of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS®) categories 3, 4 and 5. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A research was performed in the online Medline database, entering the terms "predictive value" and "BI-RADS". Eleven studies were included in this review. RESULTS: The positive predictive values ranged respectively between 0% and 8%, 4% and 62%, and 54% and 100% for BI-RADS® categories 3, 4 and 5. Three studies have also evaluated morphological criteria with higher positive predictive value in mammography, mass with spiculated margins being the finding with highest positive predictive value for malignancy. CONCLUSION: A high variability was found in the reviewed literature among positive predictive values of BI-RADS® categories 3, 4 and 5, although methodological differences have been identified, limiting the comparative analysis.

Keywords: Mammography, BI-RADS®, Breast cancer