Microcalcifications of the Breast: How Does Radiologic Classification Correlate with Histology?

Purpose: To assess the correlation between the pre-biopsy classification of microcalcifications and the underlying histology. Material and Methods: Using the morphology and distribution patterns according to the Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS®) lexicon, the microcalcifications of 199 lesions in 163 consecutive patients scheduled to undergo 11 G vacuum core biopsy were classified within the BI-RADS® categories. The correlation between BI-RADS® assessment categories 3, 4, and 5 and the final histological results was statistically evaluated with the 2 test. The diagnostic indices were calculated. Results: The prospectively classified BI-RADS® 3 4 5 findings revealed a malignant histology in 5.9% 17.6% 90.9% of all lesions, respectively. The relationship between BI-RADS® categories 3, 4, and 5 and histology was statistically highly significant (P