Efficacy of spot compression-magnification and tangential views in mammographic evaluation of palpable breast masses.

To define the role of special mammographic views in evaluating palpable breast masses, 70 consecutive women with palpable breast masses underwent standard two-view examination of each breast and spot compression-magnification and tangential view examination of the palpable mass. Thirty palpable masses were found in 30 patients (43%). Standard views depicted 26 masses (87%). Tangential views also depicted 26 masses. Some of the masses seen on tangential views were not seen on standard views and vice versa. Spot compression-magnification views depicted 29 masses (97%). Special views thus depicted an additional 9% of palpable masses not seen on standard views (four of 44 cases). All lesions not seen on tangential views were central; the one lesion not seen on spot compression-magnification views was peripheral. Special views allowed correct prediction of benign or malignant status in 77% of cases (23 of 30), while standard views allowed correct prediction in 69% of cases (18 of 26).