Paraffin tissue block radiography: adjunct to breast specimen radiography

Radiology. 1989 Dec;173(3):695-6. doi: 10.1148/radiology.173.3.2682773.

Abstract

Radiography of specimens is an essential step in confirming excision of nonpalpable breast lesions. On occasion, however, the pathologist may not identify the lesion histologically. The authors report five cases in which suspicious microcalcifications were included in the excised tissue but were not identified by the pathologist. In all five, paraffin tissue block radiography enabled identification of the specific blocks containing the microcalcifications. The correct tissue blocks were then sectioned again, and the microcalcifications were identified histopathologically. In one case, the initial diagnosis of intraductal hyperplasia was changed to intraductal carcinoma with focal invasion. When the pathologist cannot identify the calcifications on initial histopathologic sections, this technique may assist in identification of the mammographic abnormality.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy*
  • Breast / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Calcinosis / diagnosis
  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Histological Techniques
  • Humans
  • Mammography* / methods
  • Paraffin

Substances

  • Paraffin