POLYHEDRAL MICROCALCIFICATIONS ON MAMMOGRAMS - PREVALENCE AND MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence an d the mammographic appearance of polyhedral microcalcifications. MATER IALS AND METHODS. Prospectively, we evaluated screening mammograms in 2000 women for polyhedral microcalcifications. The number of polyhedra l microcalcifications on routine and magnification views was establish ed, and a quantitative analysis was done to determine if the shape of the polyhedral microcalcifications varied in the different projections . The ratio between the longer axis (R) and the shorter axis (r) was c alculated. RESULTS. Two radiologists detected at least two polyhedral microcalcifications on one projection in 58 (3%) women. The number of polyhedral microcalcifications detected ranged from 2 to 47 (mean, 8.2 ) for screening mammograms and from 2 to 62 (mean, 13.4) on magnificat ion views. Polyhedral microcalcifications were bilateral in 22 cases, scattered in one breast in 19 cases, segmental in 10 cases, and groupe d in a cluster in seven cases. Lateral projections showed more rhomboh edral microcalcifications, and craniocaudal projections showed more sq uare microcalcifications. CONCLUSION. The frequency of polyhedral micr ocalcifications is 3%. The shape of polyhedral microcalcifications var ies: craniocaudal views show them to be square and lateral views show them to be rhombohedral.