title: Comparative value of 99mTc-sestamibi scintimammography and sonography in the diagnostic workup of breast masses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to assess the relative roles of 99mTc-sestamibi scintimammography and sonography in the evaluation of breast lesions that are indeterminate or suspicious on mammography or clinical examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five patients with 33 biopsy-proven breast lesions underwent both scintimammography and sonography. Lesions were categorized as benign or requiring biopsy on the basis of the absence or presence of a focus of increased activity on scintimammography and the shape, orientation, and echogenicity of the lesion on sonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sensitivity and specificity in detecting breast cancer were 92% and 95%, respectively, for scintimammography and 100% and 48%, respectively, for sonography. The higher specificity of scintimammography was statistically significant (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the overall accuracy of 99mTc-sestamibi scintimammography in the diagnosis of breast cancer was high, it has several disadvantages in comparison with sonography. Scintimammography has a slightly higher false-negative rate for breast cancer, is unable to reveal cysts, is more expensive, takes longer to perform, and involves ionizing radiation. For these reasons, scintimammography with 99mTc-sestamibi is unlikely to either replace sonography or be frequently used in addition to sonography.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Imaging Associates and The Sally Jobe Breast Center, Englewood, CO 80111, USA.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Klaus
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Klingensmith
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Stavros
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Sutherland
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Aldrete
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001940:Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000191:economics / Q000473:pathology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017256:Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D017256:Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi