Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate a new device using molecular breast imaging (MBI) for 99mTc-sestamibi-guided stereotactic lesion localization as a complementary biopsy tool.
Materials and methods: From December 2012 to May 2016, a total of 38 consecutive women (mean age, 59 years; range, 41-77 years) underwent 99mTc-sestamibi-guided biopsy using a new MBI-based device and were retrospectively reviewed. The biopsy modality used five steps: stereotactic localization of the 99mTc-sestamibi-avid lesion, calculation of coordinates of the lesion location using dedicated software, placement of the needle, verification of the correct needle position, and tissue sampling with a vacuum-assisted device followed by placement of a radiologic marker at the biopsy site and ex vivo measurement of the biopsy specimens.
Results: The procedure was technically successful in all 38 lesions. In all cases, biopsy samples were radioactive and adequate for histopathologic analysis. Nineteen lesions (50%) were found to be malignant, and the remaining lesions were found to be benign. The mean procedure time was 71 minutes (range, 44-112 minutes). The radiologic marker was successfully deployed in 37 lesions (97%). Two hematomas and three vasovagal reactions were observed.
Conclusion: Technetium-99m sestamibi-guided biopsy performed using a dedicated MBI-based device is technically feasible and represents a valuable complementary biopsy tool in breast lesion diagnosis.
Keywords: 99mTc-sestamibi; breast cancer; molecular breast imaging; radioguided biopsy.