Study Determines Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging Has Higher Specificity Than MRI in Patients With Equivocal ...( Dilon high-resolution camera superi...),Health

Dilon high-resolution camera superior to conventional gamma imaging for

both detecting breast cancer and screening high-risk patients.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently published study results in The Breast Journal indicate that Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) may be more specific than MRI for evaluating patients with equivocal mammographic findings. The study, compiled by Dr. Rachel Brem and colleagues at The George Washington University Medical Center, compared the use of BSGI and MRI for women with an indeterminate mammogram. Standard procedure requires women with an indeterminate mammogram to have additional clinical work-ups.

According to Dr. Brem, Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) -- nuclear medicine imaging of the breast -- is a physiologic approach to breast imaging. BSGI uses a high-resolution gamma camera and Tc-Sestamibi. Previous patient examinations demonstrated high-resolution cameras to be superior to conventional gamma imaging for both detecting breast cancer and screening high-risk patients.

"With the advent of high-resolution gamma cameras, further studies of BSGI versus MRI is warranted as both are physiologically-based adjunct imaging modalities for the diagnosis of breast cancer," said Dr. Brem.

Study Methods & Materials

The retrospective study included twenty-three women with an indeterminate breast finding. In these cases, the interpreting radiologist or referring physician had determined BSGI and MRI examinations were necessary. Subsequently, these patients proceeded to biopsy. If a patient's lesion, for which MRI guided biopsy was recommended, was not seen at the time the patient presented for biopsy, then the patient had a short interval follow-up with MRI.

Patients had BSGI with the Dilon 6800 -- a high-resolution, small-field-of-view gamma camera in craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique projections. MRI was performed with a GE 1.5-T system using a dedicated breast
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