Differentiation of postsurgical changes from carcinoma of the breast.

Evaluation of 486 consecutive mammograms with biopsy and excision scars revealed 25 with spiculated radiodensities on mammography. Of these 25 patients, 17 were diagnosed as having benign scars, based upon the appearance of a central lucency, representing fat in the central portion of the spiculated radiodensity. Seven patients were diagnosed as having carcinoma by the absence of lucency in the radiodensity at a biopsy or excision site.