BSGI boosts breast cancer detection in women with dense tissue

When used in conjunction with mammography, breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) increases cancer detection by 2.5% in women with dense breast tissue, which is comparable to the 2.1% increase in detection reported for breast MRI, according to researchers from George Washington University.

Dr. Rachel Brem and colleagues retrospectively reviewed 364 BSGI exams performed between April 2010 and September 2011 on women at increased risk of breast cancer. Nine exams (2.5%) found cancer missed on mammography, and all of these were in women with dense breasts, leading the team to conclude that BSGI is a reliable adjunct modality that increases breast cancer detection in high-risk women, at levels comparable to breast MRI.