Prevalence and Degree of Breast Arterial Calcifications on Mammography: A Cross-sectional Analysis

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to establish a database including prevalence and degree of breast arterial calcifications (BAC) in our population of women presenting for mammography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mammograms of 1786 women over the age of 40 years were examined for the presence and degree of BAC. Statistical analysis was performed to correlate patient's age and ethnic origin with the presence and degree of BAC. RESULTS: There was statistically significant and strong correlation between the patient's age and presence of BAC. There was also a less strong yet statistically significant correlation between patient age and degree of BAC. Regression analysis showed the likelihood of BAC at various ages. The prevalence of BAC is only 2% of women under 50 years of age; the prevalence of Grade 2-3 BAC is only 1% in women under 60 years of age. CONCLUSION: There is a predictable increase with age in both prevalence and degree of BAC in women. The presence of high degree BAC in women under 60 years of age or any BAC in women under 50 years of age is unusual.