J Korean Radiol Soc.  1995 Nov;33(5):807-813.

Clustered IV!icrocalcifications on IVlammography: Differential Points between Benign and IV!alignant Lesions

• Kim MH
• Jung WH
• Oh KK

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate differential points of patterns of clustered microcalcification between malignant(n=17) and benign(n=46) lesions on mammogram
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively and prospectively evaluated mammograms of surgically confirmed 63 patients showing clustered microcalcifications. Area, density, number, size, shape of calcification were evaluated along with associated mass and parenchymal distortion.
RESULTS
Malignant calcifications were more variable in size(14/17, 77% vs 25/46, 53%) and shape(l 1/17, 64. 8% vs 13/46, 28.2%) than benign counterparts. Pepper, fine granular, branching, comma, tadpole and wormiform calcification were observed in malignant lesion with statistical significance. The malignant calcifications showed more faint(12/17, 70.5% vs 23/46, 50%), irregular margin(17/17, 100% vs 19/46, 42%) and they were usually associated with parenchymal distortion(16/17, 94% vs 9/46, 20%) and ill-defined masses(10/17, 58.9% vs 12/46, 26.1%).
CONCLUSION
Clustered microcalcifications with variable size and shape, faint or irregular margin, parenchymal distortion, ill-defined masses seen on mammography, suggest malignancy.

MeSH Terms

Humans
Larva
Mammography
Prospective Studies
Retrospective Studies