Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026
In Vivo Imaging and Tracking of Technetium-99m Labeled Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Equine Tendinopathy
Published on: December 9, 2015
Tissue-specific effects on uptake of 99mTc-sestamibi by breast lesions: a targeted analysis of false scintigraphic
Reinhold Tiling1, Katrin Stephan, Harald Sommer
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Innenstadt Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, D-81377 Munich, Germany. reinhold.tiling@med.uni-muenchen.de
Unlabelled:
The limited spatial resolution of gamma-cameras is commonly considered the main reason for the low sensitivity of scintimammography in the detection of small carcinomas. The present study assessed whether uptake of (99m)Tc-sestambi is affected by certain tissue-specific parameters besides the size of the tumor.
Methods:
Surgical specimens from 75 patients (30 benign lesions, 8 of which had shown false-positive scintigraphic findings, and 45 carcinomas, 8 of which had shown false-negative scintigraphic findings) were subjected to a distinct histopathologic/immunohistochemical reevaluation. Tissue-specific parameters (lesion size, cellular density, vascularity, signs of inflammation, proliferative activity, multidrug resistance expression, and receptor status) were visually scored and correlated with the sestamibi uptake on scintimammograms.
Results:
A clear relationship was found between sestamibi uptake and tumor size. As previously assumed, a lesion size of less than 1 cm in diameter was found to be one reason for false-negative scintigraphic diagnoses. In addition, a low cell count, low vascularity, and absence of inflammation in carcinomas had a negative effect on uptake of the radiopharmaceutical. The decisive factor for increased tracer uptake by benign lesions was the presence of inflammatory changes. No correlation could be found between sestamibi uptake and proliferative cellular activity, multidrug resistance expression, or the receptor status of the tumor.
Conclusion:
Because all mentioned findings were statistically significant only in part, it is to be supposed that uptake of (99m)Tc-sestambi by breast lesions is determined by various tissue parameters in interaction.
Insights
Tumor size and tissue characteristics significantly impact technetium Tc 99m sestamibi uptake in breast lesions. Factors like inflammation and cellular density influence scintimammography accuracy for detecting small carcinomas.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear medicine imaging
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Scintimammography's sensitivity for small carcinomas is limited by gamma-camera resolution.
- Technetium Tc 99m sestamibi uptake is a key factor in scintimammography.
- Understanding factors affecting sestamibi uptake is crucial for improving breast cancer diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate tissue-specific parameters influencing technetium Tc 99m sestamibi uptake in breast lesions.
- To determine if factors beyond tumor size affect sestamibi uptake in scintimammography.
- To identify potential reasons for false-negative and false-positive scintigraphic findings.
Main Methods:
- Histopathologic and immunohistochemical reevaluation of 75 surgical specimens (30 benign, 45 carcinomas).
- Visual scoring of tissue parameters: lesion size, cellular density, vascularity, inflammation, proliferation, multidrug resistance, and receptor status.
- Correlation of scored parameters with technetium Tc 99m sestamibi uptake on scintimammograms.
Main Results:
- A strong correlation between sestamibi uptake and tumor size was observed.
- Lesions <1 cm diameter were associated with false-negative diagnoses.
- Low cellularity, low vascularity, and absence of inflammation negatively impacted sestamibi uptake in carcinomas.
- Inflammatory changes were the primary driver of increased sestamibi uptake in benign lesions.
- No correlation found with proliferative activity, multidrug resistance, or receptor status.
Conclusions:
- Tumor size is a significant determinant of technetium Tc 99m sestamibi uptake.
- Tissue parameters such as cellularity, vascularity, and inflammation interact to influence sestamibi uptake.
- These findings suggest a multifactorial basis for sestamibi uptake in breast lesions, impacting scintimammography accuracy.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy
Fundamental Principles of PET
01:29Positron Emission Tomography
One of the main requirements of a PET scan is a positron-emitting radioisotope, which is produced in a cyclotron and then attached to a substance used by the part of the body being...