Scintimammography – pro

  • Scintimammography is independent of tissue density is a functional imaging technique. As such it has appea for dignostic use but it remains investigtional even for this application. It is not established for screening, or, as in this case, surveillance. It also ahs a potnetial use an adjunct to mammography.
  • Clinical studies have not clearly demonstrated the ability of scintimammography to differentiate between benign and malignant breast lesions, or for detecting and staging axillary lymph node metastases in patients with known breast cancer, improves net health outcomes. As an adjunctive diagnostic test after mammography, the sensitivity and corresponding negative predictive value of scintimammography have not been proven high enough to influence treatment decisions.
  • O’Connor MK, Phillips SW, Hruska CB et al. Molecular Breast Imaging: Advantages and Limitations of a Scintimammographic Technique in Patients with Small Breast Tumors. Breast J. 2007 Jan-Feb; 13(1):3-11.
  • Brem RF, Petrovitch I, Rapelyea JA et al. Breast-specific gamma imaging with 99mTc-Sestamibi and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of breast cancer-a comparative study. Breast J 2007 Sep-Oct; 13(5):465-9.
  • Brem RF, Fishman M, Rapelyea JA. Detection of ductal carcinoma in situ with mammography, breast-specific gamma imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging: a comparative study. Acad Radiol. 2007 Aug; 14(8):945-50.
  • Brem RF, Floerke AC, Rapelyea JA et al. Breast-specific gamma imaging as an adjunct imaging modality for the diagnosis of breast cancer. Radiology. 2008 Jun;247(3):651-7.
  • Zhou M, Johnson N, Blanchard D et al. Real-world application of breast-specific gamma imaging, initial experience at a community breast center and its potential impact on clinical care. Am J Surg. 2008 May;195(5):631-5;discussion 635.
  • ECRI Institute. Breast-specific Gamma Imaging for Diagnosis and Screening of Breast Cancer. Plymouth Meeting (PA): ECRI Institute; 2010 January 18. 7p. [ECRI hotline response]. Also available: http://www.ecri.org.

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