Abstract
The utility of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of microcalcification without other findings was examined. Calcified lesions that were indicated for stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (ST-VAB) were divided into two groups (grouped and segmental microcalcifications), and the histopathological findings of the ST-VAB and breast MRI findings were examined. Mammographic examination of 68 patients who were candidates for ST-VAB identified 49 cases of grouped microcalcifications and 19 cases of segmental microcalcifications. Histological examination revealed 24 malignant lesions and 44 benign lesions. Of the 24 malignant lesions, 3 were determined to be invasive ductal carcinoma, 15 were ductal carcinoma in situ, and 6 were border-line lesions. The analysis of 68 MRI findings identified 28 cases of lesions requiring biopsies, and the histological findings of 19 of the 28 cases were malignant, including border-line lesions. In the grouped microcalcification group, MRI sensitivity and specificity were 79% and 77%, respectively, and in the segmental microcalcification group, these values were 80% and 86%, respectively. Of 24 patients, 5 showed negative findings on MRI, but demonstrated border-line lesions on histological examination. These results suggest that ST-VAB may be unnecessary if microcalcification detected by the first breast MRI seems to be benign, and ST-VAB may be indicated when mammography shows that the number of breast microcalcifications increases during the follow-up period.
