Calcified Cores Research Articles

Non-stereotactic method involving combination of ultrasound-guided wire localization and vacuum-assisted breast biopsy for microcalcification.

Stereotactic breast biopsy is a standard intervention for evaluation of "microcalcification-only" lesions. However, an expensive stereotactic device and radiologic expertise are necessary for this procedure. We herein report a non-stereotactic technique involving the combination of wire localization and vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) under ultrasound (US) guidance. Twenty-two consecutive patients with category 3 or 4a microcalcification only as shown by mammography underwent the above-mentioned non-stereotactic combination method involving US-guided wire localization and VABB. The location of the microcalcification was measured by manual stereotaxis, and the microcalcification was confirmed by specimen mammography after the procedure. The mean number ± standard deviation of removed cores and calcified cores was 28.4±13.4 and 2.2±0.9, respectively. In one case, the procedure was repeated 3 times. The histologic diagnoses were fibrocystic change (n=14), fibroadenoma (n=4), sclerosing adenosis (n=1), usual ductal hyperplasia (n=2), and atypical ductal hyperplasia (n=1). "Microcalcification-only" breast lesions can be easily evaluated with the combination of non-stereotactic US-guided wire localization and VABB. This would be an effective diagnostic technique for breast lesion which reveals only microcalcification.

Ultrasonography-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy of microcalcifications: Comparison of the diagnostic yield of calcified cores and non-calcified cores on specimen radiographs

Microcalcifications found on mammography of asymptomatic women can be sampled by ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous breast biopsy when stereotactic core biopsy is unavailable or unsuccessful. The role of specimen radiograph needs to be reevaluated after US-guided biopsy. To compare retrospectively the histological diagnoses of calcified cores and non-calcified cores as depicted on specimen radiographs after a US-guided, 11-gauge, vacuum-assisted biopsy using surgical histology as the reference standard. A total of 135 consecutive patients underwent a US-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy for calcifications with malignant histological results from 135 lesions. For each lesion, calcification was identified in at least one core on specimen radiographs. Calcified cores and non-calcified cores depicted on specimen radiographs were separately submitted to the pathology department. The pathological diagnoses of calcified cores and non-calcified cores were compared with final diagnoses at surgical excision. Of a total of 2049 core specimens that were obtained (mean, 15 per lesion; range, 4-35 per lesion), 794 cores (mean, 5.9 per lesion; range, 1-17 per lesion) contained calcifications and 1255 cores (mean, 9.3 cores per lesion; range, 1-34 cores per lesion) did not contain calcifications. Calcified cores were more likely to enable an accurate diagnosis of cancer as compared to non-calcified cores (67%, 91 of 135 versus 52%, 70 of 135; P = 0.009). A diagnosis of cancer was more likely to be missed with non-calcified cores as compared to calcified cores (16%, 21 of 135 versus 4%, 5 of 135; P = 0.002). There was no difference in the underestimation of malignancy between calcified cores (29%, 39 of 135) and non-calcified cores (33%, 44 of 135) (P = 0.510). Calcified cores depicted on specimen radiographs are more accurate for a diagnosis of cancer as compared to non-calcified cores obtained during US-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy of microcalcifications.

Systematic Position of the Family Dentatherinidae in Relationship to Phallostethidae and Atherinidae

Phallostethoidea and Atherinoidea to determine whether Dentatherinidae is a sister group of the phallostethids. Histological examination of the labial nodules in D. merceri reveals that they have calcified cores with an outer cartilagenous rim. Fibrous connective tissue is known to change to hyaline or calcified cartilage or bone in response to stress in vertebrates. The nodules therefore, in the light of distinct histological morphological differences as well as from knowledge of morphogenetic processes, are not regarded as homologues of the paradentary in phallostethid fishes. It is believed that the presence of submaxillary bones in both of the above groups is a case of character convergence. Since parietals are absent in all Atherininae and most Australian atherinoids, this character is not unique to the phallostethids and Dentatherina. Absence of the dorsal postcleithrum is not unique to Dentatherina and the phallostethids and is therefore not regarded as a derived character establishing relationship. On the basis of the overall similarities of the first dorsal fin, interdorsal pterygiophores, the pelvic girdle, the supracleithrum, dorsal and ventral hypohyals, infraorbitals, and temporal canal, Dentatherina appears to share greater affinities with the Old World atherinoids than phallostethoids. As there is presently no evidence available to distinguish Taeniomembradinae from Atherininae, any affinities implied by Parenti (1984) between Dentatherina and the former, can also be regarded as affinities with the latter. Parenti's (1984) elevation of Dentatherininae to Dentatherinidae is accepted since this family can be distinguished from all other atherinoids by the presence of large lateral wings of the parasphenoid; maxilla with large spatulate process; anteriorly directed basal spine of the parhypural; one epural; and elongated ventral postcleithrum. The relationships of the phallostethoids may lie with fishes which are currently recognized as members of the family Melanotaeniidae. Further work is required to establish if this is so.

Taxonomic Significance of Pseudopodial Development in Living Planktonic Foraminiferida: ABSTRACT

Axopodial development in the Foraminiferida is of prime importance taxonomically. Classification revisions End_Page 642------------------------------ proposed recently by Bovee and Jahn designate axopodia to separate sarcodines at a subclass level. Yet these are only one of several types of pseudopodia seen in planktonic Foraminifera. Living Globigerinidae collected off the southern California coast were observed in agnotobiotic cultures for periods up to three months. Healthy globigerinids exhibit a gradual change in the morphology and function of their pseudopodia which is related to the development and secondary calcification of the whole organism. The pseudopodia differ considerably from those of benthonic Foraminifera, except in the bidirectional protoplasmic movement. Newly formed pseudopodia are short, radiate, anastomosing, and motile, emanating from the sarcode through the test pores. Development of an internal axial core greatly lengthens individual pseudopodia, thereby increasing exposed protoplasmic surface, and providing support for flotation of the organism. The initial axial core is extremely flexible (probably entirely proteinaceous), resulting in tenuous pseudopodia which anastomose distally on contact with one another. Such pseudopodia are readily regenerated following loss by an actively metabolizing young foraminifer. During development, the pseudopodia increase slightly in width and become brittle as calcification hardens the inner core. At this stage, pseudopodia may be broken by handling, rather than tangled as in young specimens. Anastomosing occurs only in a few specimens by means of slender, temporary connections near the pseudopodial tips. There the protoplasm and granular contents commonly flow undisturbed beyond the tapering end of the solidified core to form an actively motile, retractable probe. The pseudopodial granular contents range from numerous large, angular particles in new pseudopodia, to relatively few regular and flattened shapes after calcified cores have developed. Calcification increases pseudopodial core diameter while decreasing pore-opening diameter. This restricts the flow of protoplasm along the pseudopodia, and limits the size and shape of transported particles. Finally, as the axial cores become thicker and heavier, globigerinid pseudopodia no longer anastomose. The cores, originating in protoplasm, are trapped by their expansion in the gradually closing pores to form the spines referred to in the literature. The pseudopodia of planktonic Foraminifera thus originate as specialized rhizopodia, which develop into axopodia as growth of the organism proceeds. With such a pseudopodial continuum occurring within one species, classification based on the pseudopodial differences outlined by Bovee and Jahn would cut across specific life cycles. Accordingly, the proposed taxonomy is considered inadequate with regard to the Foraminiferida. End_of_Article - Last_Page 643------------