In vivo demonstration of microcalcification in breast cancer using high resolution ultrasound

84 patients with 89 primary breast cancers underwent high resolution ultrasound, mammography and histological evaluation. Pathological specimens and hard copy images of both imaging modalities were reviewed in order to document the amount of microcalcification present in each tumour. A total of 44, 40 and 46 tumours had visible microcalcification using high resolution ultrasound, mammography and histology, respectively. Using mammography as the gold standard, ultrasound achieved a sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 87.8% and accuracy of 91% in the detection of microcalcification. Histology had a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 71.4% and accuracy of 75.3%. We conclude that ultrasound is sensitive in the detection of microcalcification in breast cancer when they are within a mass lesion, and is a reliable diagnostic sign of carcinoma when present.