Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI)

The current clinical indications for MBI are discussed within recently published medical guidelines and can be found at http://interactive.snm.org/docs/BreastScintigraphyGuideline_V1.0.pdf The current clinical indications for MBI are discussed within recently published medical guidelines and can be found at http://interactive.snm.org/docs/BreastScintigraphyGuideline_V1.0.pdf

Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) is currently not approved as a screening option for breast cancer. Preliminary studies from the Mayo Clinic show promising results to reduce the radiation dose of this procedure to be equivalent of a mammogram so that MBI can be used as a screening tool. MBI (also referred to as Breast Specific Gamma Imaging) is currently approved as a diagnostic tool following screening via mammography and ultrasound. Recent published guidelines detail the use of MBI and can be found at http://interactive.snm.org/docs/BreastScintigraphyGuideline_V1.0.pdf Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) is currently not approved as a screening option for breast cancer. Preliminary studies from the Mayo Clinic show promising results to reduce the radiation dose of this procedure to be equivalent of a mammogram so that MBI can be used as a screening tool. MBI (also referred to as Breast Specific Gamma Imaging) is currently approved as a diagnostic tool following screening via mammography and ultrasound. Recent published guidelines detail the use of MBI and can be found at http://interactive.snm.org/docs/BreastScintigraphyGuideline_V1.0.pdf

Molecular imaging is a fancy work for nuclear medicine in the radiology field. It's not good for looking at anatomy, but is great at looking at function of cells. Any nuclear med study uses x-ray or ultrasound to help locate the areas that are of concers, in other words, it's never the only study you need. According to this article on Sep 14th, 2010 (http://www.auntminnie.com/index.aspx?sec=spt&sub=mbi&pag=dis&itemID=91901) Michael O'Connor, PhD, a professor of radiologic physics at the Mayo Clinic says:
"Right now it's used as a secondary diagnostic tool." O'Connor explained. "You would not look at this technology to replace mammography for women who do not have dense breasts, because for them mammography does very well."

From the research that I have done it appears that there are numerous clinical trials in progress to determine the effectiveness of MBI versus other breast cancer screening methods (such as mammograms, MRI, etc.) as well as various breast cancer scenarios.
http://www.genewscenter.com/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=10424&NewsAreaID=2
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00591864
http://clinicaltrials.mayo.edu/clinicaltrialdetails.cfm?trial_id=101270

The main study that I have found that has been completed focused on detecting tumors in dense breast tissue.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2009-mchi/5203.html

It appears the approach that was taken with this innovation was they were looking specifically for a solution for the short-comings of mammography. We will see in the future how effective MBI can be. It looks to me like there is a lot of potential.

Molecular Breast Imaging (also referred to as BSGI - Breast Specific Gamma Imaging) is currently NOT approved as a screening option for breast cancer, even for dense breast tissue. MBI is currently only approved as a diagnostic tool following mammography and ultrasound. There are on-going clinical studies to determine the efficacy of MBI/BSGI at dose levels equivalent to a screening mammogram. The current approved clinical indications for MBI can be found at:
http://interactive.snm.org/docs/BreastScintigraphyGuideline_V1.0.pdf
Molecular Breast Imaging (also referred to as BSGI - Breast Specific Gamma Imaging) is currently NOT approved as a screening option for breast cancer, even for dense breast tissue. MBI is currently only approved as a diagnostic tool following mammography and ultrasound. There are on-going clinical studies to determine the efficacy of MBI/BSGI at dose levels equivalent to a screening mammogram. The current approved clinical indications for MBI can be found at:
http://interactive.snm.org/docs/BreastScintigraphyGuideline_V1.0.pdf

MBI works using a gamma radiation-detecting camera. The patient is injected with short-lived radioactive agent. The tumor cells absorb the radioactive agent. The tumors are able to be seen/detected in the resulting image from the camera. MBI or BSGI (breast specific gamma imaging) is a nuclear medicine proceedure that looks for differences in cells at the molecular level. It's a great technology to work along side of mammography & ultrasound. Check out Dilon.com for some information that may be helpful...that's where I found out about it.