This code system http://hl7.org/fhir/us/breast-radiology/CodeSystem/breastrad-CalcificationTypeCS defines the following codes:
| Code | Display | Definition |
| Amorphous | Amorphous or indistinct calcifications are defined as 'without a clearly defined shape or form'. These calcifications are usually so small or hazy in appearance, that a more specific morphologic classification cannot be determined. | Amorphous or indistinct calcifications are defined as 'without a clearly defined shape or form'. These calcifications are usually so small or hazy in appearance, that a more specific morphologic classification cannot be determined. |
| Spherical | No definition found. | No definition found. |
| Skin | Usually lucent-centered and pathognomonic in appearance. | Usually lucent-centered and pathognomonic in appearance. |
| Round | May vary in size and, therefore, also in opacity (when < 0.5 mm, the term 'punctate' should be used). | May vary in size and, therefore, also in opacity (when < 0.5 mm, the term 'punctate' should be used). |
| Rim | Appear as calcium deposited on the surface of a sphere (usually < 1 mm in thickness when viewed on edge). | Appear as calcium deposited on the surface of a sphere (usually < 1 mm in thickness when viewed on edge). |
| Punctate | Breast calcifications are small calcium deposits that develop in a woman's breast tissue. They are very common and are usually benign (noncancerous). ... Macrocalcifications are common -- they are found in approximately half of women over age 50, and one in 10 women under age 50 -- and are considered noncancerous. | Breast calcifications are small calcium deposits that develop in a woman's breast tissue. They are very common and are usually benign (noncancerous). ... Macrocalcifications are common -- they are found in approximately half of women over age 50, and one in 10 women under age 50 -- and are considered noncancerous. |
| PleomorphicADDFine | Microcalcifications that vary in size and shape are of more concern — you may hear these referred to as 'pleomorphic calcifications' — and they may be clustered in a specific area of the breast. Although breast calcifications are usually noncancerous (benign), certain patterns of calcifications — such as tight clusters with irregular shapes and fine appearance — may indicate breast cancer or precancerous changes to breast tissue. | Microcalcifications that vary in size and shape are of more concern — you may hear these referred to as 'pleomorphic calcifications' — and they may be clustered in a specific area of the breast. Although breast calcifications are usually noncancerous (benign), certain patterns of calcifications — such as tight clusters with irregular shapes and fine appearance — may indicate breast cancer or precancerous changes to breast tissue. |
| None | No calcifications present. | No calcifications present. |
| MilkOfCalcium | A manifestation of sedimented calcifications in macro- or microcysts, usually but not always grouped. Refer to lexicon classification form for complete description. | A manifestation of sedimented calcifications in macro- or microcysts, usually but not always grouped. Refer to lexicon classification form for complete description. |
| LucentCentered | They are different from malignant-type fine branching calcifications, because they are usually > 1 mm in diameter. They may have lucent centers if the calcium is in the wall of the duct. These calcifications follow a ductal distribution, radiating toward the nipple and are usually bilateral. | They are different from malignant-type fine branching calcifications, because they are usually > 1 mm in diameter. They may have lucent centers if the calcium is in the wall of the duct. These calcifications follow a ductal distribution, radiating toward the nipple and are usually bilateral. |
| LinearADDFine | These are suspicious calcifications arranged in a line or showing a branching pattern, suggesting deposits in a duct. Although breast calcifications are usually noncancerous (benign), certain patterns of calcifications — such as tight clusters with irregular shapes and fine appearance — may indicate breast cancer or precancerous changes to breast tissue. | These are suspicious calcifications arranged in a line or showing a branching pattern, suggesting deposits in a duct. Although breast calcifications are usually noncancerous (benign), certain patterns of calcifications — such as tight clusters with irregular shapes and fine appearance — may indicate breast cancer or precancerous changes to breast tissue. |
| Layering | Benign calcifications: These are described as layered, tea-cup shaped, or milk of calcium. These are from benign causes such as fibrocystic breast changes or ruptured breast cysts. | Benign calcifications: These are described as layered, tea-cup shaped, or milk of calcium. These are from benign causes such as fibrocystic breast changes or ruptured breast cysts. |
| LargeRodLike | Associated with ductal ectasia, may form solid or discontinuous, smooth linear rods, usually ≥ 0.5 mm in diameter. | Associated with ductal ectasia, may form solid or discontinuous, smooth linear rods, usually ≥ 0.5 mm in diameter. |
| Indistinct | near and segmentally distributed calcifications are arranged in a line or branching pattern, indicating that the deposits are in a duct and these tend to be malignant, since most of the common malignancies are ductal. | near and segmentally distributed calcifications are arranged in a line or branching pattern, indicating that the deposits are in a duct and these tend to be malignant, since most of the common malignancies are ductal. |
| Heterogeneous | Coarse heterogeneous calcifications are irregular calcifications that are between 0.5 mm and 1 mm in size. They are usually in a group and are smaller in size than dystrophic calcifications. ... Coarse heterogeneous calcifications in a linear or segmental distribution are suspicious. | Coarse heterogeneous calcifications are irregular calcifications that are between 0.5 mm and 1 mm in size. They are usually in a group and are smaller in size than dystrophic calcifications. ... Coarse heterogeneous calcifications in a linear or segmental distribution are suspicious. |
| GenericCalcification | Breast calcifications are small calcium deposits that develop in a woman's breast tissue. They are very common and are usually benign (noncancerous). In some instances, certain types of breast calcifications may suggest early breast cancer. | Breast calcifications are small calcium deposits that develop in a woman's breast tissue. They are very common and are usually benign (noncancerous). In some instances, certain types of breast calcifications may suggest early breast cancer. |
| Fine | Although breast calcifications are usually noncancerous (benign), certain patterns of calcifications — such as tight clusters with irregular shapes and fine appearance — may indicate breast cancer or precancerous changes to breast tissue. | Although breast calcifications are usually noncancerous (benign), certain patterns of calcifications — such as tight clusters with irregular shapes and fine appearance — may indicate breast cancer or precancerous changes to breast tissue. |
| Eggshell | These are very thin benign calcifications that appear as calcium is deposited on the surface of a sphere. | These are very thin benign calcifications that appear as calcium is deposited on the surface of a sphere. |
| Dystrophic | Irregular in shape and usually > 1 mm in size; often with lucent centers | Irregular in shape and usually > 1 mm in size; often with lucent centers |
| Coarse | These calcifications are classic, large (> 2 to 3 mm in greatest diameter), and produced by an involuting fibroadenoma. | These calcifications are classic, large (> 2 to 3 mm in greatest diameter), and produced by an involuting fibroadenoma. |
| Suture | Typically linear or tubular in appearance; when present, knots are frequently visible. | Typically linear or tubular in appearance; when present, knots are frequently visible. |
| Vascular | Parallel tracks or linear, tubular calcifications that are clearly associated with blood vessels | Parallel tracks or linear, tubular calcifications that are clearly associated with blood vessels |
