Purposes: To evaluate diagnostic approach of non-mass forming breast
calcifications, to find out correlation between Age of the patients and Morphology of
calcifications. (Benign or malignant) and how to avoid unnecessary interventions.
Background: Micro calcification diagnosis is challenged by presence of dense
parenchyma resulting in low specificity values and unnecessary biopsies.
Patients and methods: The study included 85 female patients; between 23-52
years age range divided into; Group A: 30 (35%) 35years old and Group B: 55 (65%)
>35 years old. All patients undergoing Mammography, Guided biopsy (US. Guided
FNAC was done for 12 cases where trucut biopsy was contraindicated) or Trucut wide
bore biopsy using automated gun-shot and Surgical biopsy (by Hook-wire needle
localization).
Results: There were satisfactory results obtained by mammography in
detection of benign calcifications; 38 (45%) cases (13% in group A & 32% in group B)
and its sensitivity increased with age; (P-Value =0.03).Guided biopsy diagnosed 36
(76.6%) cases out of 47 as benign while 33 (70.2%) out of 47 were diagnosed benign
after surgical biopsy i.e. Total benign calcifications were 71(84%) cases out of 85.
Conclusions: Mammography is essential document for detection of benign
calcifications. Use of FNAC is not recommended. Core biopsy plays important role to
diagnose majority of calcifications; despite its disadvantages in certain cases. But
surgical biopsy is the most accurate to diagnose all calcifications; despite its
disadvantages are cost and lengthened procedure. Most of breast calcifications are
benign but malignant calcifications are diagnosed by biopsy.
Key words: Breast, Benign or malignant calcifications, No mass, Diagnostic
approach. |
