Benign Clustered Microcalcifications on Mammography: Comparison with Malignant Calcifications

PURPOSE: To evaluate morphologic characteristics of the clustered microcalcifications in benign lesions and to compare with that of malignant lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 33 patients with clustered microcalcifications( five calcifications in number per square centimeter)on mammography. We analyzed mammographic findings with regard to shape, size, number/cm2, irregularity of size and shape, presence of central lucency, and accompanied mass density. RESULTS: Of 12 benign lesions, the most frequent shape was dot or round form (4/12, 33.3%) followed by ring form (3/12, 25%). The size was smaller than 0.5mm in 5 patients (41.7%), 0.5-1 mm in one and more than 1 mm in 6 patients(50%). The number of calcifications per square centimeter were five to ten in 41.7%, more than ten in 58.3%. Of all 21 malignant lesions, the most frequent shape was branching form (8/21, 38.1%). The sizes of calcification were less than 0.5ram in 76.1%(16/21). Central lucency within the calcification was seen only in benign lesions (3/14, 21%). Irregularity ih size and shape of calcifictions was noted in both benign and malignant lesions. Accompanied parenchymal mass density was more commonly associated with malignant lesions(80. 9%) than benign lesions(58.3%). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that benign clutered microcalcifications on mammography could be differentiated from malignant calcifications with the criteria of larger size, central lucency and infrequent accompanied mass.

Benign Clustered Microcalcifications on Mammography: Comparison with Malignant Calcifications

PURPOSE: To evaluate morphologic characteristics of the clustered microcalcifications in benign lesions and to compare with that of malignant lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 33 patients with clustered microcalcifications( five calcifications in number per square centimeter)on mammography. We analyzed mammographic findings with regard to shape, size, number/cm2, irregularity of size and shape, presence of central lucency, and accompanied mass density. RESULTS: Of 12 benign lesions, the most frequent shape was dot or round form (4/12, 33.3%) followed by ring form (3/12, 25%). The size was smaller than 0.5mm in 5 patients (41.7%), 0.5-1 mm in one and more than 1 mm in 6 patients(50%). The number of calcifications per square centimeter were five to ten in 41.7%, more than ten in 58.3%. Of all 21 malignant lesions, the most frequent shape was branching form (8/21, 38.1%). The sizes of calcification were less than 0.5ram in 76.1%(16/21). Central lucency within the calcification was seen only in benign lesions (3/14, 21%). Irregularity ih size and shape of calcifictions was noted in both benign and malignant lesions. Accompanied parenchymal mass density was more commonly associated with malignant lesions(80. 9%) than benign lesions(58.3%). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that benign clutered microcalcifications on mammography could be differentiated from malignant calcifications with the criteria of larger size, central lucency and infrequent accompanied mass.

Computed tomographic findings of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis

Computed tomographic findings of 24 cases of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis were retrospectively analyzed. We classified the CT findings as 4 types: type 1(homogeneous soft tissue density mass), type 2(central low density with peripheral rim enhancement and with preservation of surrounding fat plane), type 3(central low density with peripheral rim enhancement and with obliteration of surrounding fat plane), type 4(large confluent low density mass, so called "cold abscess") As a result, there were 2 cases(8.3%) of type 1, 7 cases(29.2%) of type 2, 9 cases(37.5%) of type 3, 3 cases(12.5%) of type 4, 1 cases(4.2%) of type 1 combined with type 3, and 2 cases(8.3%) of type 2 combined with type 4. So 22 cases(91.7%) revealed central low density and peripheral rim enhancement, which suggest necrosis. The maximum thickness of enhancing rim was above 2mm in all of 64 definable necrotic lymph nodes and above 4mm in 42(65.5%) lymph nodes, suggesting that the wall of necrotic tuberculous lymphadenitis tends to be thick. We conclude that CT is useful not only for the diagnosis but also for the evaluation of the extent and the status of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis.