Molecular Breast Imaging with Gamma Medica-Ideas’ LumaGEM®

Molecular Breast Imaging with Gamma Medica-Ideas’ LumaGEM®

Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) is a functional or physiologic rather than anatomic imaging technique, much like conventional scintimammography, except that with MBI a dedicated, purpose-built, gamma camera is used (rather than a traditional whole-body gamma camera) to eliminate interference from surrounding organs.

What are the advantages of MBI?

MBI has been shown to be a good complementary technique to conventional mammography. MBI captures the metabolic activity of breast lesions and is not impacted by breast density, unlike mammography which provides an x-ray image of tissue density, and does not provide any specific indication of cancer activity. MBI is therefore particularly useful in women with dense breast tissue when mammography is weak and further evaluation is needed. MBI can also be extremely valuable in cases such as post-surgical or post-therapeutic mass, microcalcifications, and implants. Because of the high sensitivity and specificity of MBI, early detection of breast cancer is possible in mammographically difficult to read patients.

How does the technique work?

The whole procedure is very easy and fast, as well as comfortable for the patient. A small amount of radioactive tracer, typically Technetium 99mTc Sestamibi, is injected in the patient, and in turn localizes in tumors because of their relatively increased blood supply and higher metabolic activity, compared with surrounding tissues. The patient is then positioned in the easy-to-operate and position gantry. Light pressure is applied to the breast and several images are obtained. Proper positioning of the patient for LumaGEM can be performed by any trained mammographer.

That’s it?

Yes, it’s that simple. The whole procedure usually takes less than an hour. You also get the benefits of fully solid state digital detection, utilizing cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) to provide superior resolution compared with the conventional scintillation camera technology traditionally used in gamma cameras. LumaGEM also has minimal dead space at the edges of the image, allowing the closest access to the chest wall. Unparalleled resolution (1.6 mm intrinsic and 4.5% energy) also ensure that high quality results are obtained.

Is it FDA approved?

Yes, the technique has been FDA approved since 1997.

How about reimbursement?

That’s no problem, Medicare normally issues reimbursement for the technique using CPT codes 78800 or 78801 for imaging and A9500 for Sestamibi (the radio-pharmaceutical).

And the effect of radiation on the patient?

The effect is minimal, about the same as is administered during a standard chest x-ray.

Molecular Breast Imaging with Gamma Medica-Ideas’ LumaGEM... When you need to know with certainty.