title: Dermal calcifications in fixed orientation: the tattoo sign.
abstract: Calcifications located in the dermis of the breast may appear indistinguishable from intramammary calcifications. The authors present a sign, called the tattoo sign, that can help radiologists identify dermal calcifications. When mammograms are compared, calcifications that maintain a fixed relationship to each other suggest a dermal location. This can be verified with standard techniques. Understanding the tattoo sign may help prevent unnecessary needle localization and biopsy procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, New England Medical Center Hospitals, Boston, MA 02111.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Homer
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: D'Orsi
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Sitzman
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*