Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging/ Molecular Breast Imaging

 A new study by Craig Thiessen, MD, Director of Radiology for West Houston Radiology L.L.P. and North Cypress Medical Center in Houston, TX, which was presented at the 2011 National Consortium of Breast Centers Annual Meeting, found that the improved photon sensitivity of new detector technologies such as PSPMTs and CZT should be capable of reducing the radiation dose a patient receives from breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI)/ molecular breast imaging (MBI) studies by 75%. However, low-dose imaging is currently an off-label use of the radiopharmaceutical, and there are several prospective patient studies underway to validate the clinical feasibility of low-dose imaging.
BSGI/MBI is a molecular imaging tool for detecting early-stage breast cancer, particularly for women who are at increased risk for the disease or have dense breast tissue. BSGI/MBI utilises a radiopharmaceutical to visualise metabolic activity, revealing highly active areas that may be indicative of disease. A primary benefit of BSGI/MBI is that the exam provides a physiological map complementary to the anatomical map produced by mammography, and its ability to detect cancer is not affected by dense breast tissue as mammograms often are. It is also especially useful when mammographic or ultrasonic imaging studies are normal or discordant in the presence of clinical signs and symptoms.
Dr. Thiessen said, "BSGI/MBI, as with PET imaging, shows that molecular imaging is more advantageous in conjunction with standard anatomical evaluation of the body, specifically the breast. Mammography, ultrasound, and MRI look at various structures and patterns, whereas BSGI/MBI looks at the breast on a cellular level to help determine the presence or absence of disease."
Dr. Thiessen notes that MBI with the Dilon 6800 Gamma Camera is as sensitive, more specific, and more cost-effective than performing a diagnostic workup with MRI. Dilon Diagnostics currently has the only U.S. FDA-approved localisation system for gamma-guided biopsy. He concludes, "To date, Dilon's localisation system/ GammaLo?c has shown sensitivity for diagnosis of areas of concern and will advance breast imaging to a new level."
Source: Dilon Diagnostics (www.dilon.com)
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