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Objective: The aim of this article is to describe the benign mammographic calcifications that occur at the lumpectomy site after the use of a topical hemostatic sealant (FloSeal Matrix Hemostatic Sealant). These calcifications can have an appearance similar to that of recurrent carcinoma., Conclusion: Application of FloSeal hemostatic sealant in the lumpectomy cavity results in benign mammographic microcalcifications that could be misinterpreted as malignant.

A major potential hazard of therapeutic occlusion of arteries by selectively injected Gelfoam pledgets is inadvertent reflux of nonopaque emboli into the aorta with resultant occlusion of other vessels. A simple method of injecting Gelfoam emboli through the standard nonoccluding arterial catheters customarily used for diagnostic arteriography was experimentally tested. The method incorporated certain safety features such as introduction of one embolus at a time using tuberculin syringes, low pressure injection technique, and frequent test injections of contrast to ascertain vessel patency. The results indicate that Gelfoam emboli can be safely and reliably employed using this technique, provided the catheter tip is properly positioned and emboli are only introduced as long as contrast test injections demonstrate rapid antegrade flow and continued patency of the artery. Once stasis or occlusion of most major branches are detected, blood flow in the catheterized artery has effectively ceased and further embolization is risky.

Selective arterial embolization is a technique with wide therapeutic applicability. However, regardless of the nature of the embolic particles, reflux into the aorta with peripheral embolization is a serious potential complication. A case is described in which this complication occurred. We recommend that all such embolizations be performed with a balloon catheter occluding the target artery.