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[The demonstration of microcalcification in breast core biopsies: DIMA specimen radiography (7x) compared to the
J H Grunert1, B Borchert, M Kuske
1Zentrum Pathologie, Diagnostische Radiologie II, Krankenhaus Oststadt. grunertjh@aol.com
Purpose:
Comparing the sensitivity in detecting microcalcifications in stereotactically guided core biopsy specimen of the breast of direct magnification (DIMA) specimen radiography (x7) with the histological examination.
Materials And Methods:
In 52 patients 509 stereotactically obtained core biopsy (14-gauge) specimens of the breast were radiographed by direct magnification (DIMA) specimen radiography (x7) and examined histologically.
Results:
In 188 specimen microcalcifications were detected by magnification radiography compared to 98 by histological examination. Only 3% of the specimen microcalcifications were seen exclusively in the histological examination. In core biopsies with malignancy the relative proportion of biopsies with radiologically detected microcalcifications was increased (59% versus 32%).
Conclusion:
Concerning the detection of microcalcifications in core biopsy specimen of the breast, the direct magnification (DIMA) radiography (x7) was superior compared to the histological examination. Due to the high relative proportion of biopsies with radiologically detected microcalcification and malignancy, we recommend a comprehensive histological examination of these specimen. Confirmation of microcalcifications in core biopsies should be achieved by magnification radiography to prove that the suspicious area in the breast was truly sampled. Specimen radiography simultaneously with the biopsy procedure can reduce the number of punctures in the process of documenting the presence of calcifications early in the biopsy procedure.
