:::: PROCEDURE : BREAST SPECIFIC GAMMA IMAGING :.

Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) is a complementary diagnostic procedure used to help detect breast cancer when more information is needed after a questionable mammogram or breast ultrasound.  BSGI is able to detect early stage cancers, identify suspicious and difficult to interpret breast abnormalities and help doctors distinguish benign from malignant tumors.

Mammography is still considered the gold standard in breast cancer detection, but there are times when diagnostic challenges occur due to the complexity of breast tissue.  A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast used to image tissue structure and density.  The challenge arises not only because breast tissue types have varying degrees of density, but also because cancers are also dense in nature and can appear the same as normal tissue on a mammogram.  Because BSGI works more on a functional or cellular level, it provides vital tumor information from another important imaging perspective.

Another major advantage of BSGI is that imaging occurs at the point of care – allowing a patient to receive same-day results versus the lengthy wait for scheduling and results with other lesion evaluation techniques.

 

Patients who are likely to benefit from being examined using BSGI are those who have:

• Dense breast tissue
• Suspicious areas found on a mammogram, such as calcium deposits, that can sometimes indicate the presence of malignant growth
• Lumps that can be felt but not seen with mammography or ultrasound
• Implants and breast augmentation
• Scarring from previous surgeries
• Increased risk, due to personal or family history of breast cancer

 

What to expect

You will remain seated during the entire procedure.  First, a small amount of radiotracer agent will be injected in the arm.  There may be minor discomfort from the needle, but for most people, this is minimal. The radiotracer agent is absorbed by all cells in the body; and because cancerous cells have a higher rate of metabolic activity, they absorb a greater amount of the tracer and appear as “hot spots” to the gamma camera. 

BSGI does not require breast compression. You may expect only moderate pressure to help stabilize the breast. 

Within 45 minutes to an hour all of the image angles are completed and the procedure is finished.

Also see;

• Detection of Breast Cancer F.A.Q.
• Advanced Breast Cancer Diagnosis News