Use of the von Kossa stain in identifying occult calcifications in breast biopsies.
In a two-year series of more than 300 mammographic-directed biopsies with radiographic calcifications, calcium deposits could not be identified in approximately 10% with the use of routine hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stains. In most of these cases, calcifications, sometimes in surprising amounts, could be identified by use of the von Kossa stain. These included calcium deposits in acinar secretions (nine), cyst fluid (four), ductal ectasia (six), and papillomatosis (five). It would appear that the von Kossa stain is more sensitive for calcium than hematoxylin and is a useful technique when combined with specimen radiography in providing satisfactory radiologic-pathologic correlation.
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland 21218.
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Symonds
D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D013194:Staining and Labeling