Understanding Scintimammography

Monday, 08 December 2008 18:36 |

Radiology Education - Understanding

Scintimammography is a nuclear imaging technique to detect breast lesions that are difficult to spot using a mammogram.

What is Scintimammography?

It is a supplemental breast imaging technique to detect breast cancer. It is also called Nuclear medicine breast imaging, Miraluma test and Sestamibi breast imaging.

How does Scintimammography work?

A small amount of radioactive tracer (99mTc-sestamibi or 99mTc-labeled dimercaptosuccinic acid) is injected in the patient’s arm opposite of the breast being studied. Patients may experience a brief metallic taste after the tracer is injected. The radioactive tracer travels throughout the body. Normal tissue will only accumulate a small of the radioactive tracer (dye). However, cancer cells tend to take up more of the dye. After the radioactive tracer has been injected, the patient is instructed to lie face down on a special table while the breast hangs down through a hole in the table. Approximately five minutes after the injection, a special gamma camera is used to capture images of the breast from several angles. This takes several minutes for each image that is taken. During this time, the patient should try to lie as still as possible. After all of the images are taken while the patient is lying face down on the table, she may be asked to sit up or raise her arms while additional images of her breast are taken.

What is the application of Scintimammography?

Scintimammography is indicated in:
-   Patients with dense breast tissue where interpretation of mammogram is difficult
-   Large, palpable lesions that is difficult to image with mammography or ultrasound
-   Patients with breast implants.
-   When presence of more than one tumor is suspected in a single breast.
-   If suspecting a recurrence post-mastectomy as it is difficult to distinguish scar tissue from tumor tissue using mammogram.
-   To determine metastasis to the axillary (underarm) lymph nodes (sentinel node biopsy).
-   To assist in the differentiation of benign and malignant breast abnormalities by measuring radiotracer uptake in the lesions as compared with surrounding breast tissues.