Dilon BSGI: Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging
Peace of Mind
Montclair Breast Center has earned the reputation as a premier, multidisciplinary breast center, which specializes in proactive breast healthcare, risk-reduction techniques and the early detection and treatment of breast cancer using state of the art cutting-edge technology. We are now the first center in our area to offer Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI). As you know the first steps in breast health care are self-exam and mammography. While mammography remains the primary method of early detection, diagnostic challenges can occur due to the complexity of the breast tissue. There are times when additional testing is necessary. Ultrasound, MRI and BSGI provide an important additional evaluation in select clinical circumstances. Specifically BSGI, a molecular imaging study, has been shown to be sensitive for the detection of breast cancer as well as to have a very low false positive rate.
After a mammogram or ultrasound
Better diagnostic capability
BSGI is often used as a valuable test following a mammogram that reveals an area of concern. A mammogram is an x-ray study of the breast used to image tissue structure and density. If you are scheduled for additional testing, your mammogram may have been difficult to interpret due to some specific characteristics of your breast tissue. For example, dense breast tissue is displayed on a mammogram as thick white areas. Abnormalities in breast tissue display as white or light areas. Because the two often display as the same density and structure, it may be difficult to locate masses. BSGI, working on a cellular or metabolic level provides the needed capability of helping differentiate cancer from other structures or benign tissue in the breast.
BSGI is a strong diagnostic tool especially for patients who have:
- Dense breast tissue
- Suspicious areas on a mammogram
- Lumps that can be felt but not seen with mammography or ultrasound
- Recommendation for short term follow-up mammography or ultrasound
- Implants and other breast augmentation procedures
- Scarring from previous surgeries
- Recommendation for MRI but MRI is not possible i.e. due to claustrophobia
Why our doctor is testing with Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging?
BSGI is highly sensitive in the detection of invasive and non-invasive breast cancer even to sizes below 5-10mm. It has a High Negative Predictive Value meaning if the test is normal then you can be reassured that there truly is no cancer present. There is also a low false positive rate. BSGI can also help our doctor determine if biopsy is necessary. Biopsies can be traumatic and may be preventable in some cases. BSGI is also useful to confirm that a probably benign finding is truly benign and may be able to prevent short-term follow-up. These scenarios prolong the fear and anxiety of diagnosis. In fact, BSGI may also be helpful to problem solve certain abnormalities seen on ultrasound and MRI. BSGI is a great test to complement mammography. Pairing the information from these two imaging tests gives our doctor strong diagnostic capability in determining your breast health.
About BSGI
How does BSGI work?
BSGI utilizes a specially developed camera, the Dilon 6800, that allows for imaging with no compression of the breast. A small amount of tracing agent is injected which usually concentrates in cancer cells (if present) to a much greater degree than in normal cells. The tracing agent emits invisible rays, and the Dilon 6800 imaging system is used to examine the breast. The procedure is comfortable and easy. You will receive your results after the radiologist reviews your images on the same day, as with mammography, with any additional evaluation to be performed as needed.
The National Institutes of Health has categorized the radiation dose from BSGI as minimal risk, the same category as mammography and appropriate for a diagnostic exam.