Weigert study presented at Radiological Society of North America 93rd
Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Study results recently
presented at the Radiological Society of North America 93rd Scientific
Assembly and Annual Meeting demonstrated the value of Breast-Specific Gamma
Imaging (BSGI) as a strong adjunctive imaging modality to mammography and
breast ultrasound. The study, performed by Dr. Jean Weigert, Director of
Breast Imaging at Mandell and Blau MDs PC in New Britain, CT, demonstrated
the very high predictive values of BSGI for identifying breast cancer.
Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) is molecular imaging of the
breast, a novel physiologic approach in breast diagnostics that is
performed with a high-resolution small field-of-view gamma camera and
Tc-Sestamibi. According to Dr. Weigert, the radioisotope is taken up by
cells with increased metabolic activity, such as the rapidly dividing cells
in breast cancers; and areas of concern present at highly focalized areas
of radiotracer uptake, or hotspots.
The study reviewed 512 women referred to BSGI due to an indeterminate
mammogram and/or ultrasound. A history of breast cancer or new diagnosis of
breast cancer as well as family history also warranted study. Additional
mammography work-up, second-look ultrasound or MRI was used as needed to
further evaluate areas of increased radiotracer uptake on BSGI.
Eighty-one percent of the patients had 6 to 24 month follow-up with no
new findings. Ninety-seven biopsies were performed, of which 46 were
positive and 51 were negative; five in patients with negative studies. In
patients with newly diagnosed cancer, BSGI findings resulted in a change in
surgical management in seven patients, identification of four occult
contralateral cancers; and six patients underwent mastectomy due to
discovery of more extensive disease. The smallest cancer identified was 5mm
and no infiltrating lobular carcinomas were missed.
According to Dr. Weigert, Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging is a valuable
technology that can help to diagnose unsuspected cancers and find greater
extent of disease than may have been identified with mammography and
ultrasound alone.
About BSGI with the Dilon 6800 Gamma Camera
Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) performed with the Dilon 6800, is
a molecular breast imaging technique that can see lesions independent of
tissue density and discover very early stage cancers. BSGI serves as a
complementary diagnostic adjunct procedure to mammography and ultrasound
for difficult-to-diagnose patients. With BSGI, the patient receives a
radioactive tracing agent that is absorbed by all the cells in the body.
Cancerous cells in the breast, due to their increased rate of metabolic
activity, absorb a greater amount of the tracing agent than normal, healthy
cells and generally appear as "hot spots" on the BSGI image.
BSGI is ideal for patients with mammograms that are difficult to
interpret due to a variety of factors, such as: dense breast tissue,
suspicious areas on a mammogram, lumps that can be felt but not seen with
mammography or ultrasound, implants and breast augmentation, scarring from
previous surgeries and for women with an increased risk of breast cancer
diagnosis.
About Dilon Technologies
Dilon Technologies is bringing innovative new medical imaging products
to market. Dilon's cornerstone product, the Dilon 6800, is a
high-resolution, small field-of-view gamma camera, optimized to perform
Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI), a molecular breast imaging procedure
that images the metabolic activity of breast lesions through radiotracer
uptake. Many leading medical centers around the country are now offering
BSGI to their patients, including: Cornell University Medical Center, New
York; George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D.C.;
Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago; and The Rose, Houston. For more
information on Dilon Technologies please visit http://www.dilon.com.
SOURCE Dilon Technologies
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Related links:
http://www.dilon.com
CONTACT:
Nancy F. Morter of Dilon Technologies, Inc.,
+1-757-269-4910, ext. 302, cell +1-757-589-3914,
nfmorter@dilon.com
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