title: Breast-specific gamma imaging is a cost effective and efficacious imaging modality when compared with MRI.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Both MRI and breast-specific gamma imaging are tools for surgical planning in newly diagnosed breast cancer. Breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) is used less frequently although it is of similar utility and lower cost. We compared the diagnostic and cost efficacy of BSGI with MRI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of 1,480 BSGIs was performed in a community breast health center, 539 had a new diagnosis of cancer, 75 patients having both MRI and BSGI performed within 2 months of each other. Institutional charges for BSGI ($850) and MRI ($3,381) were noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BSGI had a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 73%, positive predictive value of 78%, and negative predictive value of 90%. This compared favorably with MRI that had sensitivity of 89%, specificity 54%, positive predictive value 67%, and negative predictive value 83%. The accuracy of BSGI was higher at 82% vs MRI at 72%. Total cost of MRI imaging was $253,575 vs BSGI at $63,750.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BSGI is a cost-effective and accurate imaging study for further evaluation of dense breast tissue and new diagnosis of cancer.
authors.affiliation: Legacy Cancer Institute and Legacy Breast Health Center, Good Samaritan Breast Health Center, 1040 NW 22nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210, USA. Electronic address: nemtipi@aol.com.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Legacy Cancer Institute and Legacy Breast Health Center, Good Samaritan Breast Health Center, 1040 NW 22nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210, USA.
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sorenson
authors.affiliation: Legacy Cancer Institute and Legacy Breast Health Center, Good Samaritan Breast Health Center, 1040 NW 22nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210, USA.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bennetts
authors.affiliation: Legacy Cancer Institute and Legacy Breast Health Center, Good Samaritan Breast Health Center, 1040 NW 22nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.affiliation: Legacy Cancer Institute and Legacy Breast Health Center, Good Samaritan Breast Health Center, 1040 NW 22nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210, USA.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bryn
authors.affiliation: Legacy Cancer Institute and Legacy Breast Health Center, Good Samaritan Breast Health Center, 1040 NW 22nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210, USA.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Legacy Cancer Institute and Legacy Breast Health Center, Good Samaritan Breast Health Center, 1040 NW 22nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210, USA.
authors.forename: Margie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Glissmeyer
authors.affiliation: Legacy Cancer Institute and Legacy Breast Health Center, Good Samaritan Breast Health Center, 1040 NW 22nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garreau
authors.affiliation: Legacy Cancer Institute and Legacy Breast Health Center, Good Samaritan Breast Health Center, 1040 NW 22nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210, USA.
authors.forename: Deb
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Blanchard
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005720:Gamma Rays; D017722:Hospital Charges / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000191:economics*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000191:economics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017256:Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D017256:Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi
keywords: BSGI; Breast cancer; Imaging cost; MRI