Radiologic-pathological correlation of punctate hyperechoic foci by ultrasound in stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy samples.
OBJECTIVE
To correlate punctate hyperechoic foci (PHF) on ultrasound (US) with microcalcifications detected by mammography (MMG) and at histopathology.


METHODS
Forty-eight subjects who underwent stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (SVABB) for evaluation of breast microcalcifications between April and December 2008 were evaluated for 191 lesions obtained after SVABB. The concordance between PHF on US with microcalcifications detected on MMG and histopathology was therefore evaluated for 191 lesions. Values for sensitivity and specificity were determined against histopathology as the reference standard.


RESULTS
In 154 of 191 samples (80.6%), the PHF on US corresponded with microcalcifications on MMG and histopathology. The overall sensitivity and specificity were 85.3% and 80.0%, respectively, for US, and 89.7% and 90.7%, respectively, for MMG. There were no significant differences between values for US and MMG. At US, 12 PHF did not correlate with any microcalcifications at MMG or histopathology. Histopathology revealed collagen fibers in fatty tissue in 5 of 12 lesions and collagenization in 2 of 12 lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a general concordance between PHF on US and microcalcifications detected at MMG. However, in addition to microcalcifications, collagen fibers in fatty tissue and collagenization may account for some PHF. This possibility should be considered when interpreting US findings.
Okazaki
Hiroko
H
Department of Radiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, Japan. kanko0312@marianna-u.ac.jp
Tsujimoto
Fumio
F
Maeda
Ichirou
I
Ohta
Tomoyuki
T
Kanemaki
Yoshihide
Y
Okamoto
Kyoko
K
Shimamoto
Hiroshi
H
Yabuki
Yukari
Y
Ogata
Haruki
H
Ohta
Tomohiko
T
Fukuda
Mamoru
M
Nakajima
Yasuo
Y
D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008327:Mammography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014618:Vacuum