Evaluation of breast microcalcifications. 1995

B S Monsees
Breast Imaging Section, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

As screening mammography has become more widespread, the urgency to provide more sensitive and more specific interpretations has also increased. Although many calcifications detected on mammograms are characteristically benign and need no further evaluation, there are many microcalcifications that warrant further evaluation with special views. The importance of their detection lies in the fact that many malignancies are mammographically manifested solely as microcalcifications. Once detected, radiologists have attempted to characterize and stratify microcalcifications by their level of suspicion to improve the predictive value of biopsy recommendations as depicted in Table 1. This is an important endeavor because the cost to society, especially in this era of limited resources, and the collective anxiety produced by benign breast biopsies are both great. When a biopsy is recommended, the breast team, which includes the surgeon, radiologist, and pathologist should ensure that histopathologic correlation is achieved. By participating in this process, keeping track of the results of biopsies generated from our practices, and learning from our colleagues, we can fine tune our interpretive skills. Communication among us and our colleagues from other specialties should be encouraged and can be fostered by the use of the BI-RADS lexicon.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008327 Mammography Radiographic examination of the breast. 3D-Mammography,Digital Breast Tomosynthesis,Digital Mammography,X-ray Breast Tomosynthesis,3D Mammography,3D-Mammographies,Breast Tomosyntheses, Digital,Breast Tomosyntheses, X-ray,Breast Tomosynthesis, Digital,Breast Tomosynthesis, X-ray,Digital Breast Tomosyntheses,Digital Mammographies,Mammographies,Mammographies, Digital,Mammography, Digital,X ray Breast Tomosynthesis,X-ray Breast Tomosyntheses
D011379 Prognosis A prediction of the probable outcome of a disease based on a individual's condition and the usual course of the disease as seen in similar situations. Prognostic Factor,Prognostic Factors,Factor, Prognostic,Factors, Prognostic,Prognoses
D001940 Breast In humans, one of the paired regions in the anterior portion of the THORAX. The breasts consist of the MAMMARY GLANDS, the SKIN, the MUSCLES, the ADIPOSE TISSUE, and the CONNECTIVE TISSUES. Breasts
D001941 Breast Diseases Pathological processes of the BREAST. Endocrine Breast Diseases,Breast Disease,Breast Disease, Endocrine,Breast Diseases, Endocrine,Disease, Breast,Disease, Endocrine Breast,Diseases, Breast,Diseases, Endocrine Breast,Endocrine Breast Disease
D002114 Calcinosis Pathologic deposition of calcium salts in tissues. Calcification, Pathologic,Calcinosis, Tumoral,Microcalcification,Microcalcinosis,Pathologic Calcification,Calcinoses,Calcinoses, Tumoral,Microcalcifications,Microcalcinoses,Tumoral Calcinoses,Tumoral Calcinosis
D005260 Female Females
D005500 Follow-Up Studies Studies in which individuals or populations are followed to assess the outcome of exposures, procedures, or effects of a characteristic, e.g., occurrence of disease. Followup Studies,Follow Up Studies,Follow-Up Study,Followup Study,Studies, Follow-Up,Studies, Followup,Study, Follow-Up,Study, Followup
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001707 Biopsy, Needle Removal and examination of tissue obtained through a transdermal needle inserted into the specific region, organ, or tissue being analyzed. Aspiration Biopsy,Puncture Biopsy,Aspiration Biopsies,Biopsies, Aspiration,Biopsies, Needle,Biopsies, Puncture,Biopsy, Aspiration,Biopsy, Puncture,Needle Biopsies,Needle Biopsy,Puncture Biopsies
D016477 Artifacts Any visible result of a procedure which is caused by the procedure itself and not by the entity being analyzed. Common examples include histological structures introduced by tissue processing, radiographic images of structures that are not naturally present in living tissue, and products of chemical reactions that occur during analysis. Artefacts,Artefact,Artifact

Related Publications

B S Monsees
January 1989, Archives of gynecology and obstetrics,
B S Monsees
October 1992, Journal de radiologie,
B S Monsees
April 1989, European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology,
B S Monsees
January 2000, Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc,
B S Monsees
January 1996, Journal of computer assisted tomography,
B S Monsees
August 1985, Human pathology,
B S Monsees
February 2000, Clinical radiology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!