title: Efficacy of spot compression-magnification and tangential views in mammographic evaluation of palpable breast masses.
abstract: To define the role of special mammographic views in evaluating palpable breast masses, 70 consecutive women with palpable breast masses underwent standard two-view examination of each breast and spot compression-magnification and tangential view examination of the palpable mass. Thirty palpable masses were found in 30 patients (43%). Standard views depicted 26 masses (87%). Tangential views also depicted 26 masses. Some of the masses seen on tangential views were not seen on standard views and vice versa. Spot compression-magnification views depicted 29 masses (97%). Special views thus depicted an additional 9% of palpable masses not seen on standard views (four of 44 cases). All lesions not seen on tangential views were central; the one lesion not seen on spot compression-magnification views was peripheral. Special views allowed correct prediction of benign or malignant status in 77% of cases (23 of 30), while standard views allowed correct prediction in 69% of cases (18 of 26).
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198-1045.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Faulk
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Sickles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies