Audit of stereotactic core biopsies for microcalcification
Published: 14 July 2004
Keywords
Introduction
Microcalcifications are seen in benign and malignant lesions. Stereotactic biopsy along with digital equipment has made targeting these more accurate. This is a retrospective audit of 147 core biopsies done at the Colchester–Chelmsford screening unit.
Method
All patients who had core biopsies for assessment of microcalcifications are included in this study and were discussed in the multidisciplinary team meeting.
Results
Seventy patients had benign microcalcifications seen both on X-ray and pathology. Fifty-two patients had malignant calcifications associated with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
Table 1
Microcalcification seen | Final diagnosis postsurgery | ||
|---|---|---|---|
X-ray | Pathology | Benign (number of patients) | DCIS (number of patients) |
Seen in 10 patients | None | 7 | 3 |
Six patients not seen | 2 | 4 (2 had B4 on core) | |
One patient microcalcification seen benign but R5 microcalcification | DCIS | ||
Discussion
This audit shows that 11.9% of patients had a diagnostic operation, as the core biopsy could not give a definitive diagnosis. The question whether this can be improved by repeat core or mammotome cores remains to be answered.
