The term grouped calcifications is used in mammography when relatively few breast microcalcifications reside within a small area. There must be at least five calcifications present within 1 cm of each other 3. At the most, it may refer to a larger number of calcifications present within 2 cm of each other 3.
Terminology
An outdated synonym is calcific cluster or clustered calcification. The term 'grouped' is preferred in the latest BI-RADS manual 3.
Pathology
Etiology
Homogeneous, smooth clustered microcalcifications can be due to 1:
- fibrocystic disease (often scattered clusters throughout all quadrants bilaterally)
- lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
- invasive lobular carcinoma
Pleomorphic clustered microcalcifications can be due to:
