Evaluation of breast MIBI-Tc 99 m scintigraphy for the detection of breast cancer

Full text. The aim of the work was to appreciate the contribution of MIBI-Tc 99 m scintigraphy for the detection of breast cancer and to situate this procedure in comparison with mammography 5 (X-ray M) and echography (E C). 21 patients presenting suspected lesion on clinical evaluation/or mammography were referred to the department for breast MIBI-Tc 99 m scintigraphy. 10 min after IV injection of MIBI-Tc 99 m 3 planar scan were realized with a present time of 10 min. The whole investigation including X-ray and surgical procedures were performed within 15 days. The pathologic findings were: 21 malignant lesion (18 canal cancers, 3 lobular cancers), 4 benign lesions (1 fibroadenoma, 2 granuloma, 1 fibrocystic disease). Lesions were bilateral in 3 cases and there was 1 bifocal lesion. 17 tumours were palpable and 8 not palpable, 10 lesion were <1 cm (40%), 9 were between 1,1 and 2,5 cm (36%) and 7 were >2,5 cm (24%). The overall sensitivity and specificity for MIBI-Tc 99 m were 67% and 75% respectively. For the group of palpable tumours, sensitivity of MIBI-Tc 99 m was 86%. In three cases, the X-ray M was difficult to interpret, the MIBI-Tc 99 m was true positive. In 3 false positive X-ray M procedures, the scintigraphy was true negative but, whatever the size of the tumor the best sensitivity was obtained with X-ray M (71%) and E C (70%) while for MIBI Tc-99 m, sensitivity was less (67%). MIBI-Tc 99 m appears to be a complementary tool in cases of difficulty of interpretation of mammography particularly in case of recurrence of the disease