Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine if lesion size or number of calcifications affects the ability to obtain microcalcifications or a specific histologic diagnosis at stereotaxic core needle biopsy (SCNB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mammographic findings and histopathologic reports of 138 lesions in 124 patients (aged 30- 87 years; mean age, 56.2 years) who underwent SCNB of calcifications were reviewed. Calcifications in the specimen and attainment of a specific diagnosis were correlated with lesion size and number of calcifications. RESULTS: Calcifications were obtained in 118 cases (86%). A specific diagnosis was reported in 72 cases (52%). Differences in retrieval of calcifications or ability to establish a specific diagnosis with decreasing lesion size or decreasing number of calcifications were not statistically significant. Attainment of a specific diagnosis was significantly related to retrieval of calcifications (P <.005). CONCLUSION: SCNB was successful in obtaining calcifications in a high percentage of cases regardless of lesion size or number of calcifications. When calcifications were retrieved, a specific diagnosis was attained in most cases (72 of 118).
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 665-669 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Radiology |
Volume | 198 |
Issue number | 3 |
State | Published - Mar 1996 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Breast neoplasms, diagnosis
- Breast, biopsy
- Breast, calcification
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiological and Ultrasound Technology