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Published on: October 16, 2010
Large rodlike calcifications at mammography: analysis of morphologic features
Oswald Graf1, Wendie A Berg, Edward A Sickles
1Institute of Radiology, ACC Steyr, Stadtplatz 30, A-4400 Steyr, Austria. Oswald.Graf@utanet.at
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|January 25, 2013
Summary
Large rodlike calcifications are common and typically benign mammographic findings. Current Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) lexicon descriptions need updates based on their actual size, diameter, and bilaterality.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Oncology
Background:
- Large rodlike calcifications are a mammographic descriptor.
- The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) lexicon provides standardized terminology.
- Current BI-RADS descriptions may not fully reflect the characteristics of these calcifications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and morphologic features of large rodlike calcifications.
- To provide data for updating the BI-RADS lexicon descriptor for these findings.
Main Methods:
- Prospective analysis of mammograms from 2011.
- Identified 239 women with large rodlike calcifications (3% prevalence).
- Analyzed morphologic features in 165 women, assessing benignity based on prior mammograms.
Main Results:
- Mean calcification length was 4.2 mm, width was 0.6 mm.
- 80.4% of cases were bilateral.
- Periductal and branching patterns were observed in 10.9% each.
Conclusions:
- Findings partially contradict current BI-RADS size, diameter, and bilaterality descriptions.
- The BI-RADS lexicon descriptor for large rodlike calcifications requires modification.
