3 Breast Calcifications

CLINICAL IMAGAGINGAN ATLAS OF DIFFERENTIAL DAIGNOSIS

EISENBERG

DR. Muhammad Bin Zulfiqar PGR-FCPS III SIMS/SHL

• Fig MA 3-1 Carcinoma of the breast. (A) Numerous tiny calcific particles with linear (arrows), curvilinear (solid arrowhead), and branching (open arrowhead) forms characteristic of malignancy. Note the benign calcification in the wall of an artery, which is easily recognized by its large size and tubular distribution (curved arrow). (B) Magnification view in another patient shows a retroareolar tumor containing coarse calcifications. One centimeter medial to the tumor is a small cluster of calcifications (arrows) without a tumor shadow.5

• Fig MA 3-2 Fibroadenoma. Typical large and popcorn appearance of calcification in a degenerating lesion.

• Fig MA 3-3 Cyst. A thin layer of calcification is seen in a portion of the cyst wall (arrow).3

• Fig MA 3-4 Lobular-type calcifications. Enlarged view of the upper breast in an asymptomatic woman shows “teacup” gravity-dependent calcifications of cystic lobular hyperplasia (arrowheads).1

• Fig MA 3-5 Liponecrosis microcystica calcificans. Multiple, round, dense calcifications with central lucencies. Most if not all of the calcifications lie in the subcutaneous fat.5

• Fig MA 3-6 Oil cyst. Magnified image shows a circumlinear calcification surrounding a lucent fatty center.2

• Fig MA 3-7 Plasma cell mastitis. Multiple, large, dense, needle-like intraductal secretory calcifications. Note their orientation toward the nipple.1

• Fig MA 3-8 Intraductal papilloma. Totally calcified solitary lesion.5

• Fig MA 3-9 Breast augmentation. Multiple ring-like calcific densities (arrow) of various sizes throughout the breast.2

• Fig MA 3-10 Arterial calcification. Well-developed vascular calcifications appear as parallel discontinuous bands (arrows). Early vascular calcifications are more isolated (arrowheads). Scattered secretory calcifications are also present.1

• Fig MA 3-11 Sebaceous cysts. Magnification view shows several rounded calcifications containing central lucencies.1

• Fig MA 3-12 Pseudocalcifications. Calcific-like densities superimposed over the axillary folds (arrow) represent a deodorant artifact.2