The role of Tc-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile scintimammography as comparedto mammography in evaluating palpable breast masses of Taiwanese women

Eighty-one Taiwanese women (age range 31 to 79 years old) with palpable bre ast masses detected by mammography and or physical examination underwent te chnetium-99m methoxyisoblrtylisonilrile (Tc-99m-MIBI) scintimammography to assess its value in the detection of breast carcinomas and their differenti ation fi om benign breast masses. The results showed that 58 of the 66 case s of breast carcinoma were detected by Tc-99m-MIBI scintimammography. Only 2 our of 15 patients with benign breast lesions had an abnormal scintimammo graphic finding The mammography diagnosed 55 of the 66 cases of breast carc inoma, whilst 8 out of 15 patients with benign breast lesions had positive mammographic findings. The diagnostic sensitivity specificity and accuracy of Tc-99m-MIBI scintimammogmphy were 88% 87% and 88%, respectively, whilst these parameters for mammography were 83%, 47% and 77%, respectively, regar ding the differentiation of malignant from benign breast masses. We conclud ed that Tc-99m-MIBI scintimammography significantly improves the sensitivit y and specificity for the defection of breast cwlcer in Taiwanese women wit h dense and small breasts.