American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 167, 621-624, Copyright © 1996 by American Roentgen Ray Society
Polyhedral microcalcifications on mammograms: prevalence and morphometric analysis
C Frouge, JM Guinebretiere, J Juras, B Fertil, H Benali, G Contesso, R Di Paola and M Blery
Service de Radiologie Centrale, Hopital de Bicetre, France.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and the
mammographic appearance of polyhedral microcalcifications. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: Prospectively, we evaluated screening mammograms in 2000 women for
polyhedral microcalcifications. The number of polyhedral
microcalcifications on routine and magnification views was established, and
a quantitative analysis was done to determine if the shape of the
polyhedral microcalcifications varied in the different projections. The
ratio between the longer axis (R) and the shorter axis (r) was calculated.
RESULTS: Two radiologists detected at least two polyhedral
microcalcifications on one projection in 58 (3%) women. The number of
polyhedral microcalcifications detected ranged from 2 to 47 (mean, 8.2) for
screening mammograms and from 2 to 62 (mean, 13.4) on magnification views.
Polyhedral microcalcifications were bilateral in 22 cases, scattered in one
breast in 19 cases, segmental in 10 cases, and grouped in a cluster in
seven cases. Lateral projections showed more rhombohedral
microcalcifications, and craniocaudal projections showed more square
microcalcifications. CONCLUSION: The frequency of polyhedral
microcalcifications is 3%. The shape of polyhedral microcalcifications
varies: craniocaudal views show them to be square and lateral views show
them to be rhombohedral.