title: Stereotaxic core needle biopsy of breast microcalcifications: correlation of target accuracy and diagnosis with lesion size.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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).
  
  
  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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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).
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8042, USA.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Mainiero
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Philpotts
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tocino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000175:diagnosis; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques