title: Retrieval of lost microcalcifications during stereotactic vacuum-assisted core biopsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of our report was to describe patients in whom calcifications in the breast that were unequivocally removed during stereotactic core biopsy using the Mammotome device were not detected on the initial specimen radiograph. The lost calcifications in each instance were subsequently found when the tubing and contents of the debris canister were strained through a nonadhering dressing and radiographed. Additional situations in which calcifications are not seen on the initial specimen radiograph are described and recommendations are made.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When vacuum-assisted core biopsy procedures are performed, it is important to be aware of the possibility that calcifications may be aspirated into the debris canister, thus compromising the accuracy of the histopathologic diagnosis. We recommend changing the tubing and the debris canister after each procedure and, in certain situations, sending the strained canister contents to pathology for evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, 94 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, NJ 07039, USA.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Menendez
authors.forename: Lester
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kalisher
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Petrillo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D014618:Vacuum