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Citation:
Radswiki T, Ashraf A, Deng F, et al. Artifacts that mimic breast calcification. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 08 Dec 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-15015
Artifacts that mimic breast calcification can arise from a number of external sources of radiopaque material that leave particulate residue on or within the skin. These include:
- deodorants/antiperspirants, particularly solid applicator products 1
- powders, such as those containing talc 2,3
- soap, which may contain radiopaque fillers/additives that are left on the skin after inadequate rinsing, along with hard water containing calcium salts 4
- tattoos, which contain metallic pigments 5
For these reasons, most practices recommend that patients undergoing mammography do not apply skin products on the day of the study. When the technologist recognizes the artifact, it can be resolved by wiping the axilla and breast down with a wet cloth and repeating the view.
See also
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1. Mesurolle B, Ceccarelli J, Karp I, Sun S, El-Khoury M. Effects of antiperspirant aluminum percent composition and mode of application on mock microcalcifications in mammography. (2014) European journal of radiology. 83 (2): 279-82. doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2013.10.015 - Pubmed
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2. Hogge JP, Palmer CH, Muller CC, Little ST, Smith DC, Fatouros PP, de Paredes ES. Quality assurance in mammography: artifact analysis. (1999) Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc. 19 (2): 503-22. doi:10.1148/radiographics.19.2.g99mr13503 - Pubmed
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3. Avelar MS, Almeida O, Alvares BR. Mammographic artifact leading to false-positive result. (2015) Radiologia brasileira. 48 (3): 198-9. doi:10.1590/0100-3984.2013.0003 - Pubmed
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4. Thomas DR, Fisher MS, Caroline DF. Case report: soap--another artefact that can mimic intramammary calcifications. (1995) Clinical radiology. 50 (1): 64-6. doi:10.1016/s0009-9260(05)82971-x - Pubmed
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5. Brown RC, Zuehlke RL, Ehrhardt JC, Jochimsen PR. Tattoos simulating calcifications on xeroradiographs of the breast. (1981) Radiology. 138 (3): 583-4. doi:10.1148/radiology.138.3.7465832 - Pubmed
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