RADIOGRAPHY OF MICROCALCIFICATIONS IN STEREOTAXIC MAMMARY CORE BIOPSYSPECIMENS

PURPOSE: To describe the technique of specimen radiography in stereota xically guided core biopsies and evaluate its role in detection and di agnosis of microcalcifications in breast tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS : Specimens from 361 stereotaxic breast core biopsies of 72 nonpalpabl e lesions with mammographic evidence of microcalcifications were obtai ned from 65 patients. Specimens were placed in saline on microscope sl ides and radiographed. RESULTS: Microcalcifications were detected radi ographically in 146 of 361 (40%) cores. If calcifications were present on specimen radiographs, histologic detection of these calcifications was made in 114 of 146 (78%) specimens, and diagnosis was made in 118 of 146 (81%). If calcifications were not present on specimen radiogra phs, histologic detection was obtained in 27 of 215 (13%) specimens an d specific diagnosis in 81 of 215 (38%). CONCLUSION: Specimen radiogra phy should be routinely performed in stereotaxic core biopsies of brea st microcalcifications to ensure appropriate tissue has been obtained and to direct pathologic diagnosis of the tissue specimens.