Breast-specific gamma imaging is a cost effective and efficacious imaging modality when compared with MRI

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.

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.

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.

BSGI is a cost-effective and accurate imaging study for further evaluation of dense breast tissue and new diagnosis of cancer.