title: Clinical analyses of clustered microcalcifications after autologous fat injection for breast augmentation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autologous fat injection for breast augmentation has been disputed with regard to its complications for many years, especially regarding calcifications, most of which present with benign features. In previous studies, clustered microcalcifications were not observed after fat injection for breast augmentation, which are usually regarded as malignant calcifications.
  
  
  METHODS
  From July of 1999 to December of 2009, autologous fat injection for breast augmentation was performed for both breasts in 48 patients. Eight patients with clustered microcalcifications found by mammography after surgery were analyzed retrospectively. For the nonpalpable breast lesions in three patients, the clustered microcalcifications were resected with the help of needle localized breast biopsy. The palpable lump, including clustered microcalcifications, was resected 1 cm away from its border in the other patients. All of the specimens were submitted to pathologic examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The digitized mammographic films of eight of 48 patients (16.7 percent) showed clustered microcalcifications after autologous fat injection, which were highly suspected of being breast carcinoma microcalcifications, whereas all pathologic examinations indicated fat necroses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clustered microcalcifications can be found after autologous fat injection for breast augmentation, which cannot be distinguished from malignancy. The mammographic confusion constitutes the problem rather than the success of the procedure itself, and the method should continue to be prohibited.
authors.affiliation: Beijing, People's Republic of China From the Department of Plastic Surgery, Meitan General Hospital, and the Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital.
authors.forename: Cong-Feng
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Ying-Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Dong-Mei
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Qun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Qiao
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D000328:Adult; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008327:Mammography; D009336:Necrosis; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult