Study Finds Benefits in Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging as an Adjunct in Breast Diagnostics

A recent study demonstrated the significant value of breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) as an adjunctive procedure in breast diagnostics; specifically demonstrating BSGI to be a useful and cost-effective procedure in the breast diagnostic work-up.

The study results were presented at the Miami (FL, USA) Breast Cancer Conference, held on February 20-23, 2008. BSGI is a molecular breast imaging technique used for the early detection of breast cancer and in the differentiation of malignant and benign tumors. It relies on sophisticated gamma imaging technology and mammographic positioning to optimize results.

The study, performed by Dr. Margaret Bertrand, director of breast imaging at Solis Bertrand Breast Center (Greensboro, NC, USA), evaluated the clinical impact of BSGI as an adjunctive imaging modality in a comparative analysis with other imaging methods; using tissue biopsy as the gold standard. The facility conducted diagnostic workup, including BSGI, on 98 lesions consisting of 69 malignancies. For this study, BSGI was conducted with a commercially available high-resolution gamma camera, the Dilon 6800, developed by Dilon Technologies LLC (Newport News, VA, USA).

Because imaging was ordered as necessary, not all modalities were employed for each case. Since all patients had both mammography and BSGI, these were established as the constants with ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as variables. Seventy-five percent (64/75) of the lesions detected when BSGI was compared to MRI had concordant BSGI and MRI findings with 11 discrepancies. In 74 of the 75 lesions BSGI was conducted pre-biopsy, while MRI was conducted post biopsy, therefore it is not certain if the MRI findings were positive due to biopsy or disease.

In addition, BSGI was false negative (FN) in three patients and false positive (FP) in two, whereas MRI was FN for one patient and FP in four. BSGI detected cancer in four women who could not comply with the MRI order, and based on this group of 75 patients who had both studies, Dr. Bertrand concluded that a work up of BSGI in place of MRI would have saved US$58,100 healthcare dollars.

"Breast-specific gamma imaging is very important now in my decision of whether or not to biopsy when the mammogram, ultrasound, and physical exam are inconclusive. Patients really benefit from having fewer short interval follow-ups and fewer unnecessary biopsies,” said Dr. Bertrand. "And, with the added benefit of lower cost and higher patient compliance of BSGI as compared to breast MRI, it may be used to improve detection while lowering healthcare costs.”

Dilon Technologies develops innovative new medical products based on research conducted at leading U.S. research laboratories. Dilon's cornerstone product is the Dilon 6800 gamma camera--a high-resolution, compact gamma camera, now being used to perform BSGI, a molecular imaging technique that images the metabolic activity of breast lesions through radiotracer uptake, and other general nuclear medicine imaging.


Related Links:
Solis Bertrand Breast Center
Dilon Technologies