A retrospective study of 20 patients with Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 4 lesions was undertaken. These patients were classified as BI-RADS 4 lesions due to presence of a mass (clinical or on mammography), architectural distortion and microcalcifications (MC). In some patients, the pattern of MC was benign but there were other features that were suspicious of malignancy. A comparison was made with the histological diagnosis in order to compare the radiological appearance of benign and malignant microcalcification patterns with the final histology. The study design included retrospective analysis of patients with MC on digital mammography who underwent biopsy. An analysis of the histology was then undertaken. Other factors in the history and physical examination were also considered. Results showed that although the study was not statistically significant due to limited study population, interesting trends are determined in assessing calcification patterns using the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification system, since some lesions that were thought to have benign calcification patterns were actually malignant and vice versa. Further study in this field is required.

Breast Cancer; Microcalifcations; Imaging; Mammography