USEFULNESS OF TC-99(M)-TETROFOSMIN SCINTIMAMMOGRAPHY IN PALPABLE BREAST-TUMORS

The aim of this exploratory study was to assess the potential of discr iminating malignant from nonmalignant lesions using Tc-99(m)-tetrofosm in scintimammography in the detection of palpable breast tumours. Nine patients with palpable masses were studied; seven had malignant lesio ns and two had non-malignant lesions. All diagnoses were established b y fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy cytology. Each patient received 925 MBq (25 mCi) (99)gTc(m)-tetrosfosmin intravenously. Planar prone v iews were acquired in the right lateral, left lateral and anterior pos itions, and the axillary regions were included in the field of view. S cintimammography showed focally increased tracer uptake in seven patie nts with a positive FNA result. The two patients with a negative FNA r esult showed no increased uptake. We suggest that Tc-99(m)-tetrosfosmi n shows promise as a radiopharmaceutical in the detection and discrimi nation of the nature of palpable breast rumours. Larger studies are re quired to confirm these findings.