Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) Goes to RSNA

At the ongoing meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) in Chicago, Dilon Technologies (Newport News, VA) is showcasing its innovative system Dilon 6800, a device that sports a compact detector outfitted with “over 3,000 individual 3mm square detector crystals and 48 position-sensitive photomultiplier tubes (PMT).” The company says it has developed all this gadgetry for its Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) modality, a molecular breast detection that measures “hot spots” of abnormally increased metabolic activity in breast cancer lesions. A pharmaceutical tracing agent that emits gamma radiation is injected and taken up by all cells of the body. BCGI works by detecting the increased metabolic activity of cancerous cells as compared to surrounding tissues. The company says that its diagnostic modality is independent of tissue density and can discover very early stage cancers. It is also significantly less expensive and better tolerated than breast MRI.
From the statements issued by Dilon Technologies:

For difficult to diagnose patients, Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) is found to be a more useful adjunctive imaging tool than ultrasound for patients who need additional imaging following a questionable mammogram, this according to findings presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). BSGI is a molecular breast imaging technique that can see lesions independent of tissue density and discover very early stage cancers.
"My colleagues and I found that in women who needed further examination beyond mammography in the diagnosis of breast cancer, BSGI offered more definitive answers than ultrasound," said Dr. Jean Weigert, Director of Women’s Imaging at Mandell and Blau M.D.’s PC, in New Britain, Conn.
Dr. Weigert conducted a study comparing BSGI to ultrasound in patients who required additional imaging following a mammogram. As part of their diagnostic evaluation, 70 patients had mammography, ultrasound, BSGI and biopsy. BSGI and ultrasound had 96 percent and 58 percent sensitivity respectively and 55 percent and 43 percent specificity respectively. These results demonstrate that BSGI may be more useful than ultrasound as an adjunctive imaging technology to mammography…
"According to the national Medicare average, BSGI costs $219.43 compared to $994.43 for breast MRI. Since BSGI has some advantages over MRI, including higher patient tolerance and significant cost savings, BSGI should be considered an alternative for preoperative planning in patients with breast carcinoma," said Dr. Margaret Bertrand, Director of Breast Imaging at Solis Bertrand Breast Center in Greensboro, N.C.
In this study, BSGI was performed prior to needle biopsy on 63 patients with 64 breast malignancies who subsequently had a post-biopsy, preoperative breast MRI for surgical planning in accordance with the ACS guidelines. Of the 64 malignancies, BSGI and MRI were positive in 61 and 62 lesions, respectively. BSGI and MRI were comparable in sensitivity for breast carcinoma, 95 percent and 97 percent respectively. Unlike MRI, BSGI was tolerated by all patients.

Technology page: Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI)…
Product page: Dilon 6800…
Press release (.doc)…