Metallic fragments on mammography after intraoperative deployment of radiopaque clips.
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.
Katz
J F
JF
Department of Radiology, Tufts-New England Medical Center, 750 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Homer
M J
MJ
Graham
R A
RA
Rothschild
J G
JG
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
D013635:Tantalum