title: Metallic fragments on mammography after intraoperative deployment of radiopaque clips.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our objective was to report the occurrence and determine the frequency of metallic fragments in the breast after placement of surgical clips that are used to delineate the margins of the biopsy cavity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Metallic fragments are commonly present in patients who have surgical clips placed during breast biopsy for both benign and malignant disease. Awareness of this phenomenon may prevent the misidentification of these fragments as microcalcifications and thus avert unnecessary concern or biopsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Tufts-New England Medical Center, 750 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Homer
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Rothschild
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013635:Tantalum
chemical_list: D013635:Tantalum