Technologies Create Inroads for Low Dose BSGI Molecular Breast Imaging

Investigators recently presented study findings that found the improved photon sensitivity of new detector technologies such as position-sensitive photomultiplier tubes (PSPMTs) and cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) should be capable of reducing the radiation dose a patient receives from breast-specific gamma imaging/molecular breast imaging (BSGI/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. The latest findings were presented by Craig Thiessen, MD, director of radiology for West Houston Radiology Associates, LLP (Houston, TX, USA) and North Cypress Medical Center (Cypress, TX, USA) in March 2011 at the National Consortium of Breast Centers annual meeting, held in Las Vegas (NV, USA).


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 utilizes a radiopharmaceutical to visualize metabolic activity, revealing highly active areas that may be indicative of disease. A major benefit of BSGI/MBI is that the exam provides a physiologic map complementary to the anatomic 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, a nuclear medicine specialist and breast imager, said that, "BSGI/MBI--as with PET [positron emission tomography] imaging--shows that molecular imaging is more advantageous in conjunction with standard anatomical evaluation of the body, and specifically the breast. Mammography, ultrasound, and MRI [magnetic resonance imaging] 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 noted that MBI with the Dilon (Newport News, VA, USA) 6800 gamma camera is as sensitive, more specific, and cost-effective than performing a diagnostic work-up with MRI. "BSGI/MBI is as safe and efficacious as other primary radiological exams; and even as new studies demonstrate that we can use lower doses to evaluate the breast, the current recommended dose is safe and only slightly higher than mammography,” said Dr. Thiessen.

Dilon Diagnostics currently has the only US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved localization system for gamma-guided biopsy. Dr. Thiessen concluded that, "To date, Dilon's localization system/GammaLoc has shown sensitivity for diagnosis of areas of concern, and will advance breast imaging to a new level; where I believe that molecular imaging reveals changes that happen on a cellular level before we can see differences in structural recognition.”

Dilon Diagnostics' cornerstone product, the Dilon 6800, is a digital high-resolution, compact gamma camera optimized to perform BSGI, a molecular breast imaging procedure that images the metabolic activity of breast lesions through radiotracer uptake.

Related Links:
West Houston Radiology Associates
Dilon