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Suspicious breast calcifications - grouped coarse heterogeneous

Case contributed by Jorge A. Chaib Neto
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Screening exam.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Female

Grouped coarse heterogeneous calcifications are seen in upper lateral quadrant of the right breast. 

Case Discussion

Grouped coarse heterogeneous calcifications are a group of irregular and conspicuous microcalcifications, smaller than dystrophic calcifications. They may be associated with malignancy, but they are also present in benign conditions, as fibroadenoma, in areas of fibrosis or trauma. A single group of coarse heterogeneous calcifications has a positive predictive value of slightly less than 15% and it should be placed in BI-RADS assessment category 4B (PPV range >10% to = 50%).

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