Radiologist Leora Lanzkowsky Study Suggests …

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., March 12 /PRNewswire/ — A study performed by radiologist Dr. Leora Lanzkowsky, Medical Director of The Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California, evaluated whether Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) may mitigate the need for biopsy after an indeterminate MRI, thereby potentially reducing the number of false positive breast biopsies, and resultant strain on the patient and health system. The study was recently presented at the National Consortium of Breast Centers Conference (NCBC).

BSGI is a molecular breast imaging technique used for the early detection of breast cancer and in the differentiation of malignant and benign tumors. It relies on advanced gamma imaging technology and mammographic positioning to optimize results. For this study, BSGI was conducted with a commercially available high-resolution gamma camera, the Dilon 6800.

The study evaluated 60 patients with 81 lesions examined by both BSGI and MRI. In this group, there were 38 lesions with indeterminate findings on MRI (BIRADS 0 or 3) with pathologic confirmation for 17 of these lesions. The resulting pathology includes one papillary carcinoma, one atypical ductal hyperplasia and 15 benign lesions. Both of the high-risk lesions were positive on BSGI along with four benign lesions. Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging was indeterminate in five lesions, but true negative in six.

From the study results Dr. Lanzkowsky concluded, “If BSGI had been used to manage this population of 17 lesions indeterminate on breast MRI, it would have correctly ruled out the need for biopsy or follow-up for six lesions (35 percent); correctly ruled in the need for intervention in two lesions (12 percent); resulted in no change in management for five lesions (29 percent) and resulted in benign biopsy for four lesions.”

According to Dr. Lanzkowsky, breast MRI utilization is increasing as a result of the 2007 ACS guidelines for breast cancer screening. Indeterminate MRI leads to increased costs and time constraints on our health system, as well as indefinable patient anxiety.

Dr. Lanzkowsky noted, “As the use of breast MRI increases so does the number of false positive biopsies. Methods to reduce the number of false positive biopsies are needed. Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging can corroborate a benign second look ultrasound, mitigate the need for continued short interval follow-up MRI studies, or confirm the need for a biopsy. Early indicators suggest that the use of BSGI can decrease the false positive biopsy rates resulting from breast MRI.”

About Dilon Technologies, Inc.

Dilon Technologies is bringing innovative new medical products to the market based on research conducted at leading national research laboratories. Dilon’s cornerstone product is the Dilon 6800 Gamma Camera — a high-resolution, compact gamma camera, now being used to perform Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI), a molecular imaging technique that images the metabolic activity of breast lesions through radiotracer uptake, and other general nuclear medicine imaging. Several leading medical centers around the country are now offering BSGI to their patients, including: Beth Israel Medical Center, New York; George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D.C.; Alexian Brothers Medical Center, Chicago; Methodist Hospital, Philadelphia; and West Valley Imaging, Las Vegas.

To find out more about BSGI or the Dilon 6800 Gamma Camera please visit http://www.dilon.com/

Dilon Technologies, Inc.

CONTACT: Nancy F. Morter of Dilon Technologies, Inc., Office,+1-757-269-4910, ext. 02, Cell, +1-757-589-3914, nfmorter@dilon.com

Web site: http://www.dilon.com/