TY - GEN
T1 - Molecular breast imaging using a dedicated high-performance instrument
AU - O'Connor, Michael K.
AU - Wagenaar, Douglas J.
AU - Hruska, Carrie B.
AU - Phillips, Stephen
AU - Caravaglia, Gina
AU - Rhodes, Deborah
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - In women with radiographically dense breasts, the sensitivity of mammography is less than 50%. With the increase in the percent of women with dense breasts, it is important to look at alternative screening techniques for this population. This article reviews the strengths and weaknesses of current imaging techniques and focuses on recent developments in semiconductor-based gamma camera systems that offer significant improvements in image quality over that achievable with single-crystal sodium iodide systems. We have developed a technique known as Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) using small field of view Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) gamma cameras that permits the breast to be imaged in a similar manner to mammography, using light pain-free compression. Computer simulations and experimental studies have shown that use of low-energy high sensitivity collimation coupled with the excellent energy resolution and intrinsic spatial resolution of CZT detectors provides optimum image quality for the detection of small breast lesions. Preliminary clinical studies with a prototype dual-detector system have demonstrated that Molecular Breast Imaging has a sensitivity of ∼ 90% for the detection of breast tumors less than 10 mm in diameter. By comparison, conventional scintimammography only achieves a sensitivity of 50% in the detection of lesions < 10 mm. Because Molecular Breast Imaging is not affected by breast density, this technique may offer an important adjunct to mammography in the evaluation of women with dense breast parenchyma.
AB - In women with radiographically dense breasts, the sensitivity of mammography is less than 50%. With the increase in the percent of women with dense breasts, it is important to look at alternative screening techniques for this population. This article reviews the strengths and weaknesses of current imaging techniques and focuses on recent developments in semiconductor-based gamma camera systems that offer significant improvements in image quality over that achievable with single-crystal sodium iodide systems. We have developed a technique known as Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) using small field of view Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) gamma cameras that permits the breast to be imaged in a similar manner to mammography, using light pain-free compression. Computer simulations and experimental studies have shown that use of low-energy high sensitivity collimation coupled with the excellent energy resolution and intrinsic spatial resolution of CZT detectors provides optimum image quality for the detection of small breast lesions. Preliminary clinical studies with a prototype dual-detector system have demonstrated that Molecular Breast Imaging has a sensitivity of ∼ 90% for the detection of breast tumors less than 10 mm in diameter. By comparison, conventional scintimammography only achieves a sensitivity of 50% in the detection of lesions < 10 mm. Because Molecular Breast Imaging is not affected by breast density, this technique may offer an important adjunct to mammography in the evaluation of women with dense breast parenchyma.
KW - Breast cancer
KW - Cadmium zinc telluride
KW - Molecular breast imaging
KW - Scintimammography
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U2 - 10.1117/12.687621
DO - 10.1117/12.687621
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:33750720944
SN - 0819463981
SN - 9780819463982
T3 - Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
BT - Hard X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Detector Physics and Penetrating Radiation Systems VIII
T2 - Hard X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Detector Physics and Penetrating Radiation Systems VIII
Y2 - 14 August 2006 through 17 August 2006
ER -