Localization of mammographic microcalcifications in surgical specimens

Mammography detects lesions with microcalcifications that may have no gross pathologic abnormality and are often much smaller than the biopsy specimen. The authors retrospectively analyzed 250 needle-localization biopsies for microcalcifications on x-ray and pathology reports. A significant number showed discrepancy between reports as to the presence or absence of microcalcifications. Histologic review and resectioning where necessary of discrepant cases was performed. A simple device for localizing the suspicious area in the specimen has been developed, aiding the pathologist and avoiding the potential pitfall of missing a minimal lesion. A practical methodology for localization of microcalcifictions in surgical specimens is proposed