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Will you explain molecular breast imaging and when and why it is used in breast cancer detection. Do you use this modality for your patients?

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Topics (Tags):

Breast Cancer Screening Breast Cancer Breast Imaging Molecular Breast Imaging Breast Cancer Detection

Topics:

Breast Cancer Screening X Breast Cancer X Breast Imaging X Molecular Breast Imaging X Breast Cancer Detection X

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Diseases:

Breast Cancer

Diseases:

Breast Cancer

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Answers (1)

StaceyVitielloMD (Physician - Radiology (Verified) ) - 02 / 07 / 2012

We use Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI), which is a molecular breast imaging test, at my practice in certain circumstances. This is a nuclear medicine study where a radioactive substance is injected into an IV catheter in the patient’s arm, and images of the breasts are obtained with the patient in a seated position. The test looks for spots in the breast that become “hot”, or that take up the radiotracer more avidly than the surrounding tissue. Although not all hot spots will be cancerous, they do need to be checked with further tests. If the BSGI is negative, there is a very high likelihood that no cancer is present in the breast.

At my practice, we use MRI (in addition to mammography) to screen patients at high risk for breast cancer, to further evaluate questionable mammographic, sonographic, or clinical findings, and to fully evaluate both breasts in patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Sometimes a patient cannot have an MRI, and in those circumstances we will usually recommend a BSGI test instead. Patients unable to have an MRI (with contrast) include: claustrophobic patients; those with pacemakers or other implanted devices that are not MRI-compatible; patients with metal aneurysm clips in their brain, or with metal fragments in their eyes; severe kidney disease; patients whose bodies are too large for the MRI unit; allergy to Gadolinium contrast dye.

At my practice, we use MRI (in addition to mammography) to screen patients at high risk for breast cancer, to further evaluate questionable mammographic, sonographic, or clinical findings, and to fully evaluate both breasts in patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer.  Sometimes a patient cannot have an MRI, and in those circumstances we will usually recommend a BSGI test instead.  Patients unable to have an MRI (with contrast) include:  claustrophobic patients; those with pacemakers or other implanted devices that are not MRI-compatible; patients with metal aneurysm clips in their brain, or with metal fragments in their eyes; severe kidney disease; patients whose bodies are too large for the MRI unit; allergy to Gadolinium contrast dye.

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Latest Activity: 02 / 07 / 2012
Views: 281
Followed By: 2 members