However, you may have some discomfort from having to remain still or maintain a particular position during imaging. If you think you may have difficulty remaining still or tolerating breast compression, tell your technologist before the exam begins. After the exam, you may need to wait until the technologist determines if more images are needed. Sometimes, the technologist takes more images to clarify or better visualize certain areas or structures.
The need for more images does not necessarily mean there was a problem with the exam or that something is abnormal. It should not cause you concern. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you may resume your normal activities after your exam. A technologist, nurse, or doctor will provide you with any necessary special instructions before you leave.
A radiologist or other doctor specially trained in nuclear medicine will interpret the images and send a report to your referring physician. Scintimammography is not a primary breast cancer screening tool. It is not a replacement for mammography or ultrasound. The image resolution of nuclear medicine images may not be as high as that of mammography or MRI. An abnormality detected on scintimammography may be difficult to find using other imaging exams.
This can make it difficult to perform a biopsy. Please type your comment or suggestion into the text box below. Note: we are unable to answer specific questions or offer individual medical advice or opinions. Please contact your physician with specific medical questions or for a referral to a radiologist or other physician.
To locate a medical imaging or radiation oncology provider in your community, you can search the ACR-accredited facilities database. This website does not provide cost information.
The costs for specific medical imaging tests, treatments and procedures may vary by geographic region. Web page review process: This Web page is reviewed regularly by a physician with expertise in the medical area presented and is further reviewed by committees from the Radiological Society of North America RSNA and the American College of Radiology ACR , comprising physicians with expertise in several radiologic areas.
Outside links: For the convenience of our users, RadiologyInfo. Toggle navigation. What is scintimammography? What are some common uses of the procedure? How should I prepare? What does the equipment look like?
How does the procedure work? How is the procedure performed? What will I experience during and after the procedure? Who interprets the results and how do I get them? Breast specific gamma imaging BSGI Breast specific gamma imaging BSGI is a safe, comfortable imaging option that can aid in breast cancer diagnosis when a mammogram is inconclusive.
Typically used as a less invasive "next step" when a mammogram reveals an area of concern or is inconclusive, BSGI is especially useful in early breast cancer detection and may help prevent the need for a breast biopsy. MBI uses a radiotracer called Technetiumm-Sestamibi also known as Miraluma that is injected into the bloodstream and accumulates in cancer.
During the imaging portion of the exam, the breast is placed between two cameras that visualize the areas in the breast where the radiotracer accumulates. Images obtained using the MBI imaging system can reveal abnormal areas in the breast where the radiotracer has localized since cancers accumulate more of this radiotracer compared to normal breast tissue. Compared to mammography, the MBI camera uses only mild compression to immobilize the breast.
MBI can help detect breast cancer in women with dense breasts. Up to half of all women have dense breast tissue. When a breast is dense, a cancer sometimes can be hidden by the surrounding normal breast tissue Figure 1. This lowers the sensitivity of the mammogram as a test for breast cancer detection compared to women without dense breast tissue.
MBI is not affected by dense breast tissue and can reveal breast cancers in women with dense breast tissue that mammography cannot Figure 2. Image created by and used with permission from Matt Covington, MD. Our experience with this procedure has proven to aid in the clinical work-up of many of our breast patients. After reading this article, the reader should understand the history of breast scintigraphy, the pharmaceutical used, patient preparation and positioning, imaging protocol guidelines, clinical indications, and the role of breast scintigraphy in breast cancer diagnosis.
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