A head-to-head comparison between technetium-99m-tetrofosmin and technetium-99m-MIBI scintigraphy to evaluate suspicious breast lesions

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of technetium-99m- tetrofosmin and technetium-99m-MIBI in a head-to-head comparison. Both radi opharmaceuticals are routinely used for detecting breast cancer. In a prosp ective, open, diagnostic trial, the two radiopharmaceuticals were administe red randomly on different days to the same 101 women suffering from 103 bre ast rumours. Planar images and single photon emission computer tomography ( SPET) were performed. After histological examination of the rumours, sensit ivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive value were compared . Tc-99m-tetrofosmin and Tc-99m-MIBI showed low sensitivity in planar image s (44% vs 46%, respectively). SPET improved sensitivity (70% vs 69%, respec tively). Specificity in planar images was 83% and 87%, and it was even lowe r using SPET (70% vs 78%, respectively). Positive predictive value in plana r images was 76% vs 81%, and it was not changed by SPET, Negative predictiv e value was low in planar images (54% vs 57%, respectively), but it was imp roved by using SPET (65% vs 67%, respectively). In conclusion, 99mTc-tetrof osmin and Tc-99m-MIBI scintigraphy show similar diagnostic value in assessi ng suspicious breast lesions.