title: Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the breast in a case with abundant acellular calcific material indicative of soft-tissue calcinosis.
abstract: Since calcific deposits in soft tissue may clinically resemble a tumor, it is feasible to investigate them by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. In this presentation we describe a case in the breast with extensive accumulation of acellular liquid calcific material which was sampled by the noninvasive technique of FNA, and which was indicative of nonfamilial soft-tissue calcinosis. A 48-yr-old, perimenopausal woman on a routine mammogram showed a well-defined, 1-cm partially cystic opacity in the left upper quadrant of the breast. All other investigations were normal, and no significant family or medical history was present. Under ultrasound guidance FNA was done, and about 1 ml of thick whitish fluid was obtained. Cytopreparations only showed abundant acellular calcium. The patient refused any further treatment and elected to be under the care of her family physician, according to whom she was clinically well with no changes in mammograms for the last 2 yr. The case is interesting, since the cytohistologic findings in aspirate sample appeared to be strongly indicative of soft-tissue calcinosis, which to our knowledge has not been previously reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytology, Wellington Hospital and School of Medicine, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naran
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lallu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fauck
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gaskell
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000473:pathology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium