Breast-Specific-Gamma-Imaging (BSGI)

What is a BSGI?
BSGI is a new and specialized breast imaging technique that incorporates the uses of Nuclear Medicine with breast imaging. BSGI is very useful in women with dense breast tissue, suspicious areas on a mammogram, lumps that can be felt but not seen on mammography or ultrasound, breast with implants and augmentation, and scarring from previous surgeries.

NDIC offers this new technique in detecting breast abnormalities. BSGI can aid in diagnosis when mammography is inconclusive; revealing important information that can help your doctor more accurately determine if an area of concern is cancerous or not.

BSGI is best used as a valuable “next step” following a mammogram that reveals an area of concern. BSGI works on a cellular or metabolic level, providing the needed capability of helping to differentiate cancer from other structures of benign tissue in the breast. BSGI is specific enough to determine metabolic changes within the breast that indicate suspicious cells. BSGI can also help your doctor determine if biopsy is necessary.

BSGI is the ideal test to complement mammography. Pairing the information from these two imaging test gives your doctor strong diagnostic capability in determining your breast health.

How does it work?
BSGI utilizes a specially developed camera that allows for imaging with no compression of the breast. A small amount of a tracing agent is injected into the arm or foot, which is absorbed by all the cells of the body. Because cancerous cells have a higher rate of metabolic activity, the tracing agent concentrates in these cells (if present) to a much greater degree than in normal cells. The tracing agent emits invisible rays, and the imaging system is used to examine the breast.

What can I expect on my visit?
When you arrive for you to have your test, it is preferable that you dress in a two-piece outfit, since you will be asked to remove all clothing from the waist up. The technologist will explain the procedure to you; convey any concerns at this time. You will be injected with the tracers in your arm usually. Then the technologist will place your breast into position in camera. Usually two views of each breast are obtained, and the test takes about an hour. You should experience no side effects from the procedure and should be able to resume normal activities.

How will I get my results?
One of the expert Radiologist at NDIC will discuss your results with you the day of your test. While the Radiologist will tell you result that day, any course of action is determined by your physician.