Breast Arterial Calcifications on Mammography among Patients Attending the Radiology Department in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Breast arterial calcifications are common mammographic findings which are associated with coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of breast arterial calcifications in women presenting for mammography in a tertiary care centre. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in the Department of Radiology, in a tertiary care hospital after taking ethical clearance, Reference number 352(6-11)E-2, 077/078, data was collected from Syngovia database from March-June 2021 which included 1614 mammograms. Convenience sampling was done and mammograms evaluated for presence of vascular or non-vascular calcification. Further, vascular calcification was graded. Data was entered in Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was done, and frequency and proportion were calculated. Results: The prevalence of breast arterial calcification was 188 (11.6%) at 95% Confidence Interval (10.03-13.2). The mean age of women included in this study was 48.42±9.55 years with the largest number of patients in the age group 40-49 years, 682 (42.3%), and least in the age group 80-89 years, 3 (0.2%). All patients in the age group 80-89 years, 3 (100%) had vascular calcifications followed by 70-79 years group, 22 (57.5%) and none in patients younger than 30 years. Conclusions: We found an increase in the number and grade of vascular calcifications in breasts with the patient's age. When present breast arterial calcifications must be mentioned in mammogram report. Identification of such calcifications on mammogram should prompt further screening for atherosclerotic disease.

Keywords

• atherosclerosis
• calcification
• mammography