Dense breast tissue doesn't affect BSGI's sensitivity

In this scientific paper presentation, researchers from George Washington University Medical Center will discuss results from their study showing that the sensitivity of breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) is not affected by breast density.

Dr. Rachel Brem and colleagues will present research that compared the sensitivity of BSGI in both dense and nondense breast tissue, noting that the sensitivity of mammography for women with dense breasts is limited and prompts the need for adjunct imaging modalities.

The study included 344 women diagnosed with breast cancer between January 2004 and August 2009 who concurrently underwent a BSGI exam. The women were known to have dense breast tissue.

The group found that the overall sensitivity of BSGI for breast cancer detection was 95.6%. Of the women in the cohort with nondense breast tissue, 137 (96.5%) of 142 had positive BSGI exams, whereas for the women in the cohort with dense breast tissue, 192 (95.1%) of 202 had positive BSGI examinations. This led Brem's team to conclude that there is no difference in the sensitivity of BSGI in women with nondense and dense breasts.