Thomas S. Chang MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Marcela Bohm-Velez MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Douglas Arthur Kieper BS, Abstract Co-Author: Vice President, Dilon Technologies LLC

Susy L. Suarez Lemcke BS, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, Dilon Technologies LLC

Antoinette Cockroft RTRM, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the impact of molecular breast imaging (MBI), also called breast-specific gamma imaging, in the management of diagnostic breast patients undergoing breast biopsy.

Patients who have MBI are entered into a patient registry. Patients were included in this study if they had: 1) mammography, MBI, and biopsy; and 2) BI-RADS 3 or higher on mammography, ultrasound, or MBI. Biopsy was performed at the discretion of the radiologist or at the request of the patient.

Over a 5-year, 8-month period, the registry accrued 1176 patients, of whom 214 patients with 228 lesions were included in this study. Biopsy yielded 54 malignancies (24 DCIS, 24 IDC, 6 ILC) and 174 benign results, including 22 high-risk diagnoses. Mammography and/or ultrasound were BI-RADS 4 or 5 for 158 of the 228 lesions, yielding 34 malignancies (17 DCIS, 16 IDC, 1 ILC); sensitivity = 63%, PPV = 22%. The addition of MBI resulted in 49 more biopsies, of which 18 were malignant (7 DCIS, 6 IDC, 5 ILC); combined sensitivity = 96%, PPV = 25%. The two false-negative lesions were 0.5 cm and 0.7 cm focal asymmetries without sonographic correlate and normal MBI (both IDC).

The addition of MBI to mammography and ultrasound provided a 53% improvement in sensitivity for the detection of breast malignancies and a significant increase in the detection of ILC (1 with conventional imaging, 6 with the addition of MBI).

When added to mammography and ultrasound in the work-up of challenging cases or symptomatic patients with normal conventional imaging, MBI significantly improves breast cancer detection.

Chang, T, Bohm-Velez, M, Kieper, D, Suarez Lemcke, S, Cockroft, A, The Value of Molecular Breast Imaging as a Diagnostic Adjunct to Mammography and Ultrasound in Patients Undergoing Biopsy.  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13044373.html