J Korean Radiol Soc.  2008 Feb;58(2):181-187. 10.3348/jkrs.2008.58.2.181.

Ultrasonographically-Guided Biopsy after Digital Mammographically Guided Two-Dimensional Localization of Breast Microcalcifications

• Shin JH
• Choi HY
• Kim HA
• Han BK
• Moon WK

• KMID: 2209124
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2008.58.2.181

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided core biopsies after digital mammography-guided two-dimensional localization (DM-2DL) of breast microcalcifications.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-two patients with 23 suspicious microcalcifications underwent US-guided core biopsies after DM-2DL, to mark the sites on the skin where microcalcifications had been found (craniocaudal and mediolateral (or lateromedial) views). Of the 23 lesions, 4 were sampled using a 14-gauge automated gun and the other 19 were sampled using an 8-gauge vacuum-assisted device. The lesions were categorized into two groups: those with and those without microcalcifications observed on US. The success rate for correctly sampling microcalcifications on the specimen radiograph in the two groups was assessed and their pathologic outcomes were investigated.
RESULTS
Of the 23 lesions, 16 were invisible and 7 were visible to ultrasonographic microcalcifications. The sampling success rate for the specimen radiographs was 100% for ultrasonographic visible microcalcifications and 88% (14/16) for lesions invisible to ultrasonography after DM-2DL (p = 1.000). The cancer rate of individuals with microcalcifications observed on US (57%, 4/7) was greater than in individuals without visible microcalcifications (13%, 2/16) (p=0.045).
CONCLUSION
Although some microcalcifications are invisible on US, a US-guided biopsy after DM-2DL is a useful method for the successful sampling of the microcalcifications.

Keyword

Calcifications; Mammography; Biopsy

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Breast
Humans
Mammography
Skin