For example, arterial calcification generally appears as two parallel lines and are commonly bilateral. Early on arterial calcification can look suspicious, but with follow-up one should begin to see a distinct line developing. Some calcifications appear to have radiolucent centers and are dispersed throughout the breast with no rhyme or reason. It is very difficult to determine whether these calcifications are located within the breast or in the skin. If the technologist is still in doubt, she may perform a tangential view to confirm a calcification is located in the skin and not within the breast.
Large calcifications are characteristic of benign lesions.
Benign streaks and clumps of calcifications can appear post-surgically along the surgical incision. Also, microcalcifications can be seen following a cyst aspiration. In either case, a complete and accurate history must be taken to eliminate the possibility of a carcinoma. Tiny benign cysts can develop milk of calcium which layers out when the patient's breast is in the lateral or oblique positions. They are very small, commonly multiple, and scattered.