title: Aspiration cytodiagnosis of the breast with abundant acellular calcific material indicative of soft tissue calcinosis (a study of 3 cases).
abstract: Calcific deposits in soft tissue are rare and may clinically resemble a tumour. It seems feasible, therefore, to investigate them by the non-invasive technique of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). In this study three cases with extensive accumulation of acellular calcific material in the breast are described in which FNAC was indicative of soft tissue calcinosis. In all cases routine mammogram had shown a partially cystic opacity. All other investigations were normal and no significant family or medical history was present. Cytopreparations in all cases showed only abundant acellular calcium. The patients had no further treatment and on follow up were clinically well with no changes. The cases are interesting, since the cytohistological findings in the aspirate sample appeared to be strongly indicative of soft tissue calcinosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytology and Surgery, Wellington Hospital and School of Medicine, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Raj K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Sharda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lallu
authors.forename: Sarla
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naran
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fauck
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gaskell
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000473:pathology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium