Molecular breast imaging
Molecular breast imaging (MBI), also known as scintimammography, is a type of breast imaging test that is used to detect cancer cells in breast tissue of individuals who have had abnormal mammograms, especially for those who have dense breast tissue, post-operative scar tissue or breast implants.
| Scintimammography | |
|---|---|
Mammography (left) and DMSA scintimammography (right) images of 4.5cm breast carcinoma | |
| Synonyms | Nuclear medicine breast imaging Breast specific gamma imaging Breast scintigraphy Molecular breast imaging |
| ICD-10-PCS | CH1 |
| ICD-9-CM | 92.19 |
| HCPCS-L2 | S8080 |
MBI is not used for screening or in place of a mammogram. Rather, it is used when the detection of breast abnormalities is not possible or not reliable on the basis of mammography and ultrasound alone. When mammography plus ultrasound are insufficient to characterize an abnormality, the gold standard next step is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the breast. However, in patients with contraindications (e.g. certain implantable devices) or who prefer to avoid MRI (claustrophobia, discomfort), use of scintimammography is an acceptable alternative.