Tc-99m MIBI scintimammographic study with a new, simple imaging device

Objective: The present study was performed in order to test the clinical value of a special breast imaging device made by ourselves in scintimammography. Method: The device is special wooden board with two cutouts at two borders. By two pairs of vertical troughs and two horizontal belts, it can be firmly fixed on the examine table. 60 patients with unilateral palpable breast masses were performed Tc-99m MIBI breast imaging with the help of the special device. The early and delay images were acquired at 10 min and 1 hr after intravenous injection, in positions of an anterior supine, a left lateral prone and a right lateral prone. A ratio of radioactivity value of mass to appositive corresponding tissue T/NT was half-quantitatively (T/NT≥1.21 is positive). Result: The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 92.9% and 90.6% respectively, and the accuracy was 91.7%; positive predictive value 89.7%; negative predictive value 93.5% and Youden index 83.5%. The lateral views (which were obtained with help of the device) were superior to routine anterior view in detecting lesions. Conclusion: The special device is simple and practical. It may be clinically applied to improve the SMM technique and diagnosis for breast mass