When have mammographic calcifications been adequately sampled at needle core biopsy?
OBJECTIVE
To determine if the number of flecks of calcification retrieved at stereotaxic core needle biopsy or the number of core samples obtained containing calcification are related to biopsy sensitivity, and to determine how many calcifications or cores containing calcification the radiologist should aim to retrieve when sampling mammographic microcalcification.


METHODS
A retrospective review was performed of core specimen radiographs from 57 consecutive patients who had stereotaxic core needle biopsies of impalpable malignant microcalcifications without an associated mammographic mass. The total number of calcifications retrieved and the numbers of cores containing calcification were correlated with findings at core and surgical histology.


RESULTS
Increasing retrieval of calcification elements visible on specimen radiography was associated with increasing sensitivity of the biopsy. Five or more flecks of calcium gave an absolute sensitivity of 100%. Increasing numbers of core samples obtained containing radiographically demonstrable calcification was also associated with increasing sensitivity. Three or more cores containing calcium resulted in a 100% absolute sensitivity for malignancy.


CONCLUSIONS
To ensure adequate sampling of calcification at core biopsy, an optimum of either three or more cores containing calcium or five or more flecks of calcium in total is required. Achieving this target ensures a high pre-operative diagnosis rate for malignant microcalcifications.Bagnall, M. J. C. (2000). Clinical Radiology 55, 548-553.
Breast Screening Training Centre, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, U.K.
M J
MJ
Bagnall
A J
AJ
Evans
A R
AR
Wilson
H
H
Burrell
S E
SE
Pinder
I O
IO
Ellis
D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity