Amorphous calcifications (breast)
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Amorphous or indistinct calcifications are a morphological descriptive term for breast calcification and are defined as having small, hazy, faint calcifications with no clearly defined shape or form.
Radiographic features
- 80-200 micrometer in diameter
- small, hazy calcification
- often magnification views required (utilizing a microfocal spot and an air gap)
- when clustered/segmental in distribution: is considered suspicious
- interval change is considered suspicious
BIRADS categories
- BI-RADS II: when diffuse and bilateral
- BI-RADS III: when multiple bilateral clustered
- BI-RADS IV: when unilateral clustered or new on follow up or in a patient with a cancer in the contralateral breast
Associations
Many benign and malignant conditions may be seen in association with these calcifications 1.
- benign: ~60%
- intermediate to high risk lesions: ~20%
- malignant: ~16-20% 1-2
- low grade ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
- invasive ductal carcinoma ~10%: usually has an accompanying mass
Due to this some amorphous calcifications can be classified as suspicious calcifications.
Depending on their distribution they can fall into a range of BIRADS categories.
See also
-<a href="/articles/birads-ii-2">BI-RADS II</a>: when diffuse and bilateral</li>- +<a href="/articles/bi-rads-2">BI-RADS II</a>: when diffuse and bilateral</li>
-</ul><p>Due to this some amorphous calcifications can be classified as <a href="/articles/suspicious-breast-calcifications">suspicious calcifications</a>.</p><p>Depending on their distribution they can fall into a range of <a href="/articles/breast-imaging-reporting-and-data-system-birads">BIRADS</a> categories.</p><h4>See also</h4><ul>-<li><a href="/articles/breast-calcifications">breast calcification</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/approach-to-breast-calcification">approach to breast calcification</a></li>-</ul>- +</ul><p>Due to this some amorphous calcifications can be classified as <a href="/articles/suspicious-breast-calcifications">suspicious calcifications</a>.</p><p>Depending on their distribution they can fall into a range of <a href="/articles/breast-imaging-reporting-and-data-system-birads">BIRADS</a> categories.</p>
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